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PETREHN, JOHN - KODACHROME BALLOON
Johnny Petrehn is from Leawood, Kansas. He started hot-air ballooning in the early 70's has been a licensed balloon pilot since 1987 and has over 2600 hours as pilot-in-command of a balloon. He works...
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MITCHELL, STEVE - SCRUMTRULESCENT BALLOON
Steve Mitchell is from Streetsboro, Ohio. Steve grew up in Battle Creek and was a 2003 graduate of Lakeview High School and 2008 graduate of Michigan State University. His parents, Jeff and Mary...
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PESTUN, JEFF - SPECIAL PURPOSE BALLOON
Jeff Pestun is from Holland, Michigan and is a native of Battle Creek area watching hot-air balloons and then crewing his first balloon when he was only 8 years old. He has been a licensed hot-air...
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PECK, STEPHEN - GYPSY WIND BALLOON
Stephen Peck is from Battle Creek, Michigan. He has been a licensed hot-air balloon pilot since 1991 and has over 400 hours as pilot-in-command of a balloon. He is a retired counselor with the Red...
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PARR, RICHARD - RACING VENTURE BALLOON
Richard Parr will be flying Racing Venture in his 3rd Field of Flight Hot-Air Balloon Competition this year in Battle Creek. Richard started flying in 1959 and took up ballooning after retirement and...
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NELSON, MIKE - MIDNIGHT RACER/WWMT BALLOON
Mike "Fire Marshall Mike" Nelson is from Fortville, Indiana. He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico near another large hot-air ballooning event. He has been a licensed balloon pilot since 2005 and has...
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MOORE, MICHAEL - SHENANIGANS BALLOON
Michael "Mike" Moore is from Augusta, Michigan. He got into ballooning by crewing for Dale Wilson, Lori, his wife, actually is the one that named my balloon, Shenanigans. After buying my balloon in...
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KERBER, RICK - MICHIGAN CAT BALLOON
Rick Kerber is from Wayland, Michigan. Rick came from a family of balloonists. He started flying hot-air balloons when he was 16. He has been a licensed balloon pilot since 2002 with over 510 hours as...
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JAQUES, TYLER - POST CUTTING EDGE BALLOON
Tyler Jaques is from Battle Creek, Michigan. He has been a licensed balloon pilot since 2007 and has over 230 hours being pilot-in-command. This will be Tyler's 8th year competing in the event but he...
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JAQUES, DAVE - POST SUGAR BEAR BALLOON
Dave Jaques is a commercial pilot who originates from Battle Creek, Michigan and now lives in Venice, Florida. He started flying hot air balloons in 1985. He worked 36 years for Post Cereal company as...
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HEAVIN, GARY - ALMOST HEAVEN BALLOON
Gary Heavin has been flying hot-air balloons for over 30 years with over 1000 flight hours. He is the founder of Curves International, the world's largest fitness franchise and is currently the Chair...
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HEAVIN, BRANDON - MS B HEAVIN BALLOON
Brandon Heavin is from Moody, Texas. Brandon's father, Gary taught him how to fly. He has been a licensed balloon pilot since 2002 and has over 225 hours as pilot-in-command of a balloon. Brandon is...
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HEARTSILL, RHETT - TEXAS STAR BALLOON
Rhett Heartsill's father is Joe Heartsill (Texas Racer). Due to this, Rhett was born into the hot-air ballooning world. Rhett and his wife Jobi are both from San Angelo, Texas. He has been a licensed...
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HEARTSILL, JOE - TEXAS RACER BALLOON
Joe Heartsill is from San Angelo, Texas. Joe attended the Albuquerque, New Mexico balloon festival in 1978 and knew he had to get one for himself. He purchased his balloon and didn't even know how to...
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GROCE, RON - FREEBI BALLOON
Ron Groce is from Mason, Michigan. He has been a licensed balloon pilot for over 32 years with over 1000 hours as a pilot-in-command of a hot-air balloon. He is a machinist by trade. He is married to...
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FOELSKE, AARON - THE HUMMINGBIRD BALLOON
Aaron Foelske is from Channonhon, Illinois will be flying in the Field of Flight Hot-Air Balloon Competition in his balloon called The Hummingbird Balloon. In previous years he flew his balloon called...
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COAN, LARRY - SUPERFLUOUS BALLOON
Larry Coan is from Livonia, Michigan. He is an engineer for the Ford Motor Company. He is married to his wife Amy and together they have two children, Teri and Robin. Larry received a hot-air balloon...
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CAMPBELL, CRAIG - HOT ZIGGITY BALLOON
Craig Campbell is from right here in Springfield, Michigan.He has been flying since 2000 and has owned his Hot Ziggity Balloon since 2010. He has been a licensed balloon pilot since 2013 and has flown...
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BERGEON, TOM - MICKEYS RAINBOW BALLOON
Tom "Uncle Tom" Bergeon is from Mason, Michigan. Tom says he got into hot air ballooning because he was a world glass greenie (sea sick), so he took to the skies in a balloon. He has over 6000 hours...
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BROWN, TOM - TOM FOOLERY BALLOON
Tom "Tomfoolery" Brown served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force and is currently a Security Director for AECOM. Tom has flown events around the country and is currently from Plainwell, MI. This will be...
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