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As the plane begins to roll over, the G-force pushes against the weight of my body. I slide slightly out of the seat, restrained only by the harness straps.
As I fly upside down for a brief moment, I see the world below me in a way I've never seen it before -Êupside down.
I'm 2,000 feet up in the air, upside down, on a hot Monday afternoon. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thrill, but my stomach doesn't agree.
Lucky for me, the pilot, Doug Dodge, is a professional member of a flying aerobatic team and I feel safe.
City of Lakes Balloonfest will feature the Marsh Star Aerobatic Team, of which Dodge is a member, this year at the Warsaw Airport at about 4:30 p.m. June 26.
The team fliers, including Eddie Merchant, Dan Gray and Jim Howell, will perform such feats as the barrel roll, loops and the hammerhead. Spectators will see the planes fly just feet from one another.
"We have some collision effect maneuvers we'll perform," said Russ Waggoner, team coordinator, announcer and support pilot.
The air show is free to the public. Vendors will have food for purchase to benefit the Domestic Violence Task Force. Registration to win a free ride on the aircraft is at the Warsaw Marsh Supermarket and at the Warsaw airport the day of the show.
The sixth annual Balloonfest will be June 25-27.
"It's a community event to get the families to come out," said Waggoner.
Besides the aerobatic team, a classic rock concert will be held at Central Park June 25 at 7 p.m. Warsaw Breakfast Optimists will sponsor an adult triathlon at Winona Lake Park at 8 a.m. June 26. Warsaw Citizens Police Academy will sponsor a county bike tour at the fairgrounds. Registration is 7 a.m. to noon June 27.
Other exciting events at the Warsaw airport will include balloon ascensions, a pancake breakfast, carnival games, balloon launch and glow, powered parachutes and gyrocopters.
A more detailed schedule of events will be available later.
