CLARK FREEPORT - 11-25-08 - According to the Tourism and Promotions Office of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), 2009 will see even more balloons and countries participating in the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival than in 2008. At this point, it looks as if 25 countries will be joining this event, which seems to be growing by leaps and bounds each year and becoming more like a major air show than a hot air balloon event. For 2009, well over 100,000 spectators are expected to attend five days of fun in the skies, or as CDC refers to it: “the weekend of everything that flies.” This event is currently scheduled to be held in its usual location where the large hanger is visible from the main entrance road, designated as the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, right alongside the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.
The associated events, as last year, are sure to be additionally inspiring. CDC seems to want to grow this event to ever-increasing heights of excellence. You can be sure that the show will be bigger and better than ever for 2009, bringing greater levels of exposure to the Freeport in order to further promote business and leisure investment in the area.
The CDC is looking to grow the Clark region, not only internationally, but as a major Filipino destination of tourism and relaxation. For this event and all subsequent events in Clark, the area will become even more easily assessable from Manila. With the completion of the SCTEX this year, and the soon completion of the new SCTEX Clark Interchange in December, you will be able to exit directly into the Freeport from the highways, only a couple Kilometers from the entrance of the balloon festival. If you have attended the Balloon Fiesta in previous years or have been to the Clark Freeport, you know that the last few kilometers are the most frustrating as you exit NLEX to pass through the intense traffic in Dau and Angeles City to the Clark Main gate; sometimes taking as long as an additional 30 minutes. That will soon be a thing of the past and make the balloon festival and Clark in general, an even more pleasant destination.
This years balloon festival is lining-up to be the greatest ever, and it will be easier to attend then ever before. So, if you have never been to this mega event, or if you wait anxiously each year to see the myriad of balloons and other demonstration aircraft and exhibits, then make your advanced hotel reservation plans now as the Freeport is sure to become booked-out very quickly and in advance for this event.
2010 PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA DETAILS
Note: The above schedule is from the official Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Association. Clark Subic Marketing makes no claims or guarantees as to its accuracy. This schedule is subject to change without notice.
Getting to the Clark Freeport Zone, otherwise known as the Clark Special Economic Zone by car is easy. Simply needs to take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and exit at Dau, Mabalacat. After your exit, a left turn towards Angeles City, and a little Angeles City/Dau traffic, will bring you to within an easy right turn of the Clark Zone itself. The trip should take about an hour and a half from Manila without heavy traffic.
