Hot air balloon honoring military families to offer rides during Regatta

PITTSBURGH — For the first time in over a decade, a hot air balloon will fly above the EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta.

The hot air balloon, DreamShip, honors America’s military families and is intended to symbolize the hopes and dreams of military kids, according to a news release.

Standing eight stories tall, the fabric of the balloon features 130 illustrations by children of fallen or wounded soldiers, and Folds of Honor scholarship recipients. The illustrations depict what the children want to be when they grow up.

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According to the release, more than 2 million dependents are affected by the deployment of family members, but 90 percent don’t qualify for federal scholarship assistance. To raise awareness of the financial gap, The Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents teamed up with Folds of Honor to create DreamShip.

Tethered rides will be available, weather permitting, at Highmark Stadium on Friday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. DreamShip will be at Point State Park from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.

There will be a booth at Point State Park from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday that will feature virtual reality balloon rides, a DreamShip selfie station and an art station.

The regatta, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, runs Friday to Sunday.

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Cox Media Group