Up, Up and Away // Birthday Celebration Starts Friday 

 08/03/1994

The Gatesway Foundation’s 30th birthday bash takes flight this weekend. The three-day event is slated to begin at 4 p.m. Friday on the grounds of the OXY USA Center at the corner of Olive Street (129th East Avenue) and Tulsa’s 41st Street. Festivities should wind down about 9 a.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Parking is $2 per car. The entrance to the public parking lot is at Garnett Road and Tulsa’s 43rd Street. The Gatesway Foundation was started in 1963 by the late Helen Gates. It is a non-profit organization which provides living and employment options for developmentally disabled adults. During the weekend celebration, 55 hot air balloons are scheduled to descend on the area, take part in some races and decorate the landscape with their colors. In addition to the balloon-related activities, a variety of entertainment is scheduled during the festival. Individuals and groups will entertain on two stages. A petting zoo will be set up, and booths filled with food, drinks and arts and crafts will be scattered around the area.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday 4 p.m. – Booths open. 5:30 p.m. – Main Stage: Jackie Boyd; Country Stage: Alyssa Godbey 6 p.m. – Main Stage: The Company Party; Country Stage: Melodramatic Wallflowers 7:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies. 8:30 p.m. – Balloon Glow with entertainment by Oklahoma Sinfonia.
Saturday 7:30-9 a.m. – Balloon Fly-over Key Grab Race. 8 a.m. – Main Stage: Clare-more Community Band. 9 a.m. -Main Stage: Amanda Waterman; Country Stage: Strictly Brass. 9:30 a.m. – Main Stage: Tulsa Community Band; Country Stage: Green Strings. 10 a.m. – Country Stage: Strictly Brass. 10:30 a.m. -Main Stage: Rhythmic Notions; Country Stage: Country Heart. 11 a.m. – Main Stage: Hanson Brothers; Country Stage: Bradini. 11:30 a.m. – Main Stage: Rhythmic Notions; Country Stage: Jazz Band. Noon – Main Stage: Trailblazers Show Team; Country Stage: Hanson Brothers 12:30 p.m. – Main Stage: Northeast Oklahoma Square Dancers; Country Stage: Lindsay Gardner. 1 p.m. – Main Stage: Bradini; Country Stage: Jazz Band. 1:30 p.m. – Main Stage: Pizzazz; Country Stage: Gatesway Squares. 2 p.m. – Main Stage: Theater Arts; Country Stage: Trailblazers Kids. 2:30 p.m. – Country Stage: Northeast Oklahoma Square Dancers. 3 p.m. – Main Stage: The Garage Doors; Country Stage: Pizzazz. 3:30 p.m. – Country Stage: Trailblazers Show Team. 4 p.m. – Country Stage: Greg Smith. 4:30 p.m. – Main Stage: Texas Traffic; Country Stage: Lindsay Gardner. 6:30 p.m. -Hare and Hound Balloon Race. Main Stage: Glory. 7:30 p.m. – Main Stage: I.J. Ganem Band
Sunday 7-9 a.m. – Mass Ascension and Balloon Race.