Second annual RISE Hot air Balloon Festival this weekend. Here's what you need to know

Kiara Fleming, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger
Updated ·2 min read
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Hattiesburg will be the site o the second annual RISE Hot Air Balloon Festival next weekend, starting Sept. 22.

RISE is a non-profit organization, formally known as The Pine Belt Christian Women's Job Corp, that was started over 21 years ago and serves the Hattiesburg community through education and empowerment for men and women.

In 2016, Catherine Jorns, now executive director of the RISE non-profit organization, came on board and decided to change the organization's name to "RISE."

"Once we changed the name, our fundraiser committee said we needed some more fun and interesting ways to raise money," Jorns said. "Every non-profit has a banquet or a 5K and people are kind of bored with those; so one day I was having my quiet time with the Lord, and he told me hot air balloons rise and so that's how I came up with the hot air balloon rise festival."

The event will include live music, vendors, food trucks, rides, an art exhibit and more on Friday and Saturday and attendees are asked to bring a can of food or a $1 donation that the organization will give to local food pantries in the Hattiesburg area.

"Some of the food vendors include Catdaddy's Catering, Captain Coconut Tacos, Papa Dough's pizza and a lot more" Jorns said. "We hope this event will continue to raise funds and add some much-needed excitement and encouragement to the Hattiesburg community."

The second annual Annual RISE Hot Air Balloon Festival is this weekend in Hattiesburg.
The second annual Annual RISE Hot Air Balloon Festival is this weekend in Hattiesburg.

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IF YOU GO

  • When: Friday, Sept. 22 through Sunday, Sept. 24

  • Friday- Patriotic Day, Honor military and veterans

  • Saturday- Spirit Day, Show your school spirit for your favorite University

  • Sunday- Faith Day, Worship with the churches in the Pine-belt area

  • Where: Multi-Purpose Center Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center 962 Sullivan Dr., Hattiesburg

  • Admission: $1 per person or the public can bring a can of food to donate. Free parking are first come first serve. Paid parking is $5

  • Time: Show starts at 6 p.m. entire weekend

To register as a volunteer, go to risenonprofit.org

Know an event coming up? Reporter Kiara Fleming can be reached via email KDFleming@jackson.gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Hattiesburg event features hot air balloons for a good cause