The Weekender: Backcountry And Balloon Flying
Whether it’s a long Saturday or a long weekend, The Weekender’s SocialFlight events begin early and go late. At Tampa North Aero Park in Florida, the third annual Festival of Flight is bringing hot air balloons, planes, deltas, kites, helicopters and more in one location starting Friday and through the weekend.

Whether it's a long Saturday or a long weekend, The Weekender's SocialFlight events begin early and go late. At Tampa North Aero Park in Florida, the third annual Festival of Flight is bringing hot air balloons, planes, deltas, kites, helicopters and more in one location starting Friday and through the weekend. All are invited to learn more about all forms of flight. There will be live music, evening balloon glows and morning balloon launches. Take a ride in an airplane, helicopter, hot air balloon and more. For a scenic campout weekend in the Gila National Forest, head to the Negrito Airstrip in Reserve, New Mexico, for the annual fly-in, beginning Friday. Bring your own food, or for $40, dinners and breakfasts will be furnished. Lodging is available nearby. Register at www.nmpilots.org.
Cozad, Nebraska's annual fly-in, on Saturday will have a day of activities starting with breakfast at the airport, followed by the Cozad annual "Hay Days" parade with an all-day carnival. Stay late into the night for the hangar party with live music and a fundraiser for the 2016 Nebraska Airshow and Fly-In. Tent camping on the field is free, and courtesy cars are available. Also Saturday, the Lander Air Show, Fly-In and Car Show in Wyoming is an annual premier event in the Intermountain West. Aircraft and classic cars will be on display along with aerobatic performances, an airplane parade, tethered balloon rides, a spot landing contest, flour bombing and other family-friendly activities. Breakfast and lunch will be available on the field. For more on these and other upcoming events, visit SocialFlight.
