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

2002: Oklahoma, Kansas

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

= 2002 flights; = 2003 flights; = 2004 flights; = 2005 flights;
= 2006 flights; = 2007 flights; = 2008 flights;
= 2010 flights; = 2011 flights


 

 

Completed Flight List

Scroll through list; click on the row of interest to see photos and narrative from flight in that state.

 

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