States of Enlightenment is a ballooning performance project consisting of a series of fifty helium cluster balloon flights, one in each of the states of the United States. Where possible, flights will feature some location, landmark or event of regional significance. The inaugural flight in States of Enlightenment took place at Balloon Fest in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in August, 2002; flights are projected to continue at the rate of three to five states per year for the next ten to fifteen years. States of Enlightenment celebrates the pursuit of dreams and the liberating force of creativity and eccentricity in American life, both historical and contemporary. Click here for a Balloonist's Statement offering some additional perspectives on the project. Support for the States of Enlightenment project is now being sought. Send an e-mail for information on how to sponsor the States of Enlightenment flight in your state! |
Project Status: 47 Down, 3 to Go
Click on state name to view photos and narrative from flight in that state
2003: New York, Indiana, Idaho
2004: Wisconsin, Michigan, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Iowa, Nevada, Mississippi
2005: Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, Louisiana, Minnesota, Colorado
2006: Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wyoming, Illinois, Virginia, Arizona
2007: New Mexico, Oregon, Maine, Vermont, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Kentucky, California, West Virginia, North Carolina, Florida
2008: South Dakota, Montana, South Carolina
2010: Washington, Rhode Island, Missouri, Connecticut
2011: Maryland, North Dakota
Completed Flight Map
Click on shaded states to view photos and narrative from flight in that state
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Completed Flight List Scroll through list; click on the row of interest to see photos and narrative from flight in that state.
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Flight Date |
State |
City |
Event |
8/10/2002 |
Oklahoma |
Oklahoma
City |
Oklahoma
City Balloonfest |
10/20/2002 |
Kansas |
Newton |
Balloons
Over Kansas |
8/21/2003
and 8/23/2003 |
Indiana |
Bloomington |
Bloomington
Balloon Fiesta |
8/31/2003 |
Idaho |
Coeur
d'Alene |
Lake
Coeur d'Alene Balloonfest |
9/21/2003 |
New
York |
Glens
Falls |
Adirondack
Balloon Festival |
7/10/2004 |
Wisconsin |
Wausau |
Wasau
Area Balloon Rally |
7/24/2004 |
Michigan |
Fenton
|
Seven
Lakes State Park Balloon Classic |
8/4/2004 |
New
Jersey |
Harmony
Township |
Warren
County Farmers' Fair |
8/7/2004 | New
Hampshire |
Pittsfield |
Pittsfield
Rotary Balloon Rally |
8/21/2004 |
Iowa |
Council
Bluffs |
Lighter-than-Air
Balloon Fair |
9/25/2004 |
Nevada |
Elko |
Ruby
Mountain Balloon Festival |
10/16/2004 |
Mississippi |
Natchez |
The
Great Mississippi River Balloon Race |
6/26/2005 |
Nebraska |
Alliance |
Summer
Solstice at Carhenge |
7/2/2005 |
Ohio |
Ashland |
Ashland
Balloonfest |
7/23/2005 |
Tennessee |
Kingsport |
Fun
Fest Balloon Rally |
8/5/2005
and 8/6/2005 |
Louisiana |
Baton
Rouge |
North
American Balloon Association Nationals |
9/18/2005 |
Minnesota |
Faribault |
Faribault
Area Airfest |
9/24/2005 |
Colorado |
Mancos |
Mancos
Valley Hot-air Balloon Festival |
5/20/2006 |
Georgia |
Reynolds |
Taylor
County Relay for Life |
5/28/2006 |
Alabama |
Decatur |
Alabama
Jubilee |
6/3/2006 |
Texas |
Palestine |
Heritage
Balloon Festival |
6/16/2006 |
Pennsylvania |
Meadville |
Thurston
Classic Hot-Air Balloon Event |
6/24/2006 |
Utah |
Panguitch |
Panguitch
Valley Balloon Rally |
7/15/2006 |
Wyoming |
Riverton |
Riverton
Rendezvous Balloon Rally |
9/8/2006 |
Illinois |
Pontiac |
SummerFest
Hot-Air Balloon Classic |
10/22/2006 |
Virginia |
Millwood |
Shenandoah
Valley Hot-Air Balloon and Wine Festival |
11/4/2006 |
Arizona |
Page |
Page
Lake Powell Balloon Regatta |
5/6/2007 |
New
Mexico |
Roswell |
Old
Timers Balloon Rally |
5/19/2007 |
Oregon |
Madras |
Collage
of Culture |
5/27/2007 |
Maine |
Skowhegan |
Skowhegan
Arts and Air Festival |
6/16/2007 |
Vermont |
Quechee |
Quechee
Balloon Festival |
6/22/2007 |
Arkansas |
Hope |
Balloons
of Hope |
7/22/2007 |
Massachusetts |
Greenfield |
Green
River Festival |
8/17/2007 |
Kentucky |
Maysville |
Buffalo
Trace Balloon Race |
9/1/2007 |
California |
Ripon |
Color
the Skies |
10/6/2007 |
West
Virginia |
Morgantown |
University
Motors Mountaineer Balloon Festival |
10/27/2007 |
North
Carolina |
Statesville |
Carolina
Balloon Fest |
11/10/2007 |
Florida |
Polk
City |
Roar
'n' Soar |
6/14/2008 |
South
Dakota |
Sioux
Falls |
Great
Plains Balloon Race |
7/26/2008 |
Montana |
Billings |
Magic
City Balloon Festival |
9/20/2008 |
South
Carolina |
Mauldin |
Mauldinfest |
3/6/2010 |
Washington |
Winthrop |
Winthrop
Balloon Roundup |
8/7/2010 | Rhode Island | Cumberland | Cumberlandfest |
9/25/2010 | Missouri | New Haven | New Haven Balloon Race |
10/10/2010 | Connecticut | Canaan | Canaan Balloon Fly-in |
5/21/2011 | Maryland | Union Bridge | Flying H Farm Balloon Fly-in |
9/10/2011 |
North Dakota | Medora | Medora Balloon Rally |