Weather forecast brings good news for band festival
Staff Writer
The latest weather forecast indicates Central Kentucky will be basking in warm, dry weather this weekend instead of bathing in the cool, rainy conditions of the last few weeks.
Nobody could be happier about the change in the weather than Jerry Boyd.
Boyd is director of logistics for this weekend's Great American Brass Band Festival, and it's his job to oversee the setting up of everything from the stage to electronic equipment to tables and chairs.
``This will be the seventh time we've done this and we're prepared to do it rain or shine. But I have to tell you that, when I heard the forecast, I felt some relief. The good weather will be welcome,'' said Boyd.
Boyd said the long, wet spring has left the grounds between Old Centre and the Cowan Dining Commons between Main and Walnut streets soggy, and it will take a couple of rain-free days before he and his logistics crew can start setting up.
``We're about two days behind already as far as getting some of the trucks and vans carrying equipment onto the Centre grounds. If we can stay relatively dry for the next couple of days, then we'll be in good shape for the big set-up Friday morning,'' he said.
The `big set-up'' starts at 8 a.m. Friday and will last until dark. The job for the 15-member set-up staff will go more easily and quickly if they are assisted by a lot of volunteers, Boyd said. In the past, more than 130 people have served as volunteers.
``We depend very heavily on people in the community, including high school students participating in programs at Centre and other community-service projects, to help us out,'' said Boyd. ``Without volunteers, this job can be a nightmare.''
The second biggest job for Boyd's crew and volunteers will come at 4 p.m. Saturday. That's when the logistics folks set up 161 tables and 1,400 chairs for the GABBF picnic -- and they only have an hour in which to do it.
``We can use volunteers for a half day, full day, throughout the weekend. We definitely need volunteers for the stage set-up Friday morning and picnic set-up on Friday afternoon,'' he said.
Anyone wishing to volunteer should report to the Cowan Dining Commons at 8 a.m. Friday and ask for Boyd or his assistant, John Albright.
Meanwhile, picnic goers will be getting some help themselves. Boyd said that coach Kenny Young and members of his Danville High School baseball team will be on hand at 5 p.m. Saturday to help people unload their picnic supplies. It's a fund-raiser for the team, so tips will be appreciated.
Also happy about the weekend forecast are organizers of the hot air balloon race on Friday evening. The race -- officially dubbed the 1996 Anthem Blue Cross-Blue Shield Hometown Radio Hot Air Balloon Race -- will have more than 30 balloons from all over Kentucky and Cincinnati.
The balloonists will take off from Stuart Powell Field at the Danville-Boyle County Airport at 7 p.m. Depending on wind conditions, the race lasts between a half hour and an hour.
The race will be broadcast live over WHIR-AM 1230, WRNZ FM 105.1, and WHIR FM 107.1 starting at 5 p.m. Jim Parman and Kristy Taylor will cover the race from the ground while Steve Hayes will be broadcasting from the ``hare'' balloon and Charley Perry from an airplane.
According to Rick Shoebel, a salesman with the Hometown Radio Corporation stations who is helping to organize the race, the ``hare'' balloon will be piloted by Brian Beazley, president of Balloon Odyssey, the Louisville-based company that organizes hot air balloon races around the state.
``The hare will find a clearing, land and then the crew will mark a big `X' in the middle,'' said Schoebel. ``Then, the balloonists will try to fly over the `X' and drop a color-coded bag of grass seed as close to the `X' as possible. Cash prizes go to the folks who drop the bags closest to the spot.''
Schoebel said he hopes that winds will guide the balloons over downtown Danville. ``The prevailing winds would go in that direction. It would be a wonderful sight seeing all those colorful balloons floating over the city,'' he said.
Schoebel urges spectators to come early to the airport and stay late. Admission and parking are free.
``We had more than 4,000 people out at the airfield last year, so we're encouraging people to come as early as possible,'' he said. ``While they're waiting for the balloons to take flight, they can tailgate, have picnics, play games. Just bring blankets and chairs and have a good time, then watch the spectacle.''
Volunteers needed
Balloon race
