RODEO CITY OPENS NORTH TEXAS BALLOON CLASSIC

Each year, members of the Rodeo City Invitational Racing Pigeon Club, out of the Dallas area, join in the festivities of the North Texas Balloon Classic. The annual hot air balloon event is dedicated to providing a framework, within which its members, associates and volunteers may fulfill their goals of benevolence to challenged children.

The balloon fest is held to raise money to build a park for handicapped children. This is the third year for the event. The Rodeo City club has done a bird release at each one. The club helps kickoff the balloon fest by conducting a pigeon release on the opening day, just before a very special balloon, Serena's Song, takes off.

Serena's Song is a balloon that helps bring joy and smiles to the physically and mentally challenged. It is the only balloon in the world equipped to carry wheelchairs in tethered flight and provides rides throughout the event. Amid the exhibits and carnival rides, Leon Rawdon drives up to the release point in a 1917 flatbed truck with pigeons in the back.

The antique vehicle gets attention, but when the birds are released from the back, the crowd is awed. Developing the procedure required patience and persistence. The first year was a challenge because the event was almost rained out. But the club members managed to conduct a successful release and built on it. The bird release has become such an integral part the event that the birds and the truck are featured on the promotional flyers and brochures that are distributed throughout the city.

This is a good example of how a small project grows. Each year they receive a great deal of radio and newspaper attention. The club's next event is a hometown celebration. They will close off main street and have booths lining both sides of the street. They plan to be a part of the display booths promoting racing pigeons.