Scarecrow to fly over Middletown

A flying scarecrow and a balloon wearing sunglasses will be two of the shaped balloons in this year’s Ohio Challenge.

The giant scarecrow balloon holds 110,000 cubic feet of hot air, stands 115 feet tall and is 80 feet wide, making it the largest scarecrow in the world, said Sara Pruett, spokeswoman for the event. It is the scarecrow’s first appearance at the balloon festival.

Returning to the Ohio Challenge is Lindy, a balloon sporting a pair of sunglasses. Lindy also appeared at last year’s event.

The Ohio Challenge runs 4 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13, which includes the full festival. The cost is $10 per carload and includes admission, parking at the airport and a shuttle ride to the event. Walk-in admission for adults is $4 with accompanying children younger than 13 admitted free.

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