TEAM FASTRAX , COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER DANIEL SMITH AND THE THANK YOU FOUNDATION TO HONOR VETERANS AT MIDFIRST OHIO CHALLENGE

2007 Ohio Challenge Schedule of Events

MidFirst Ohio Challenge will present the skydiving Team Fastrax, The Thank You Foundation and country music star Daniel Smith in a special Tribute to the Troops on Saturday, July 21 just before the evening hot air balloon competition flight from Smith Park in downtown Middletown.

At 5:30 pm, The Thank You Foundation will honor several local military personnel, followed by a concert from 5:30 to 7 pm by Daniel Smith, who wrote and sings “Thank You – A Tribute to the American Soldier.”  His hit album, “American Made” is very popular with country music fans.

During the concert,  Team Fastrax Professional Skydiving Team will bring in a 7,800 square foot American flag.  The team member flying the mega flag is Chris Nunn, known as “Ditch” to his team mates. The huge flag, twice the size of the flag used in prior Team Fastrax skydiving demonstrations, takes special skills to maneuver and land safely. “Ditch” is an accomplished pilot and sky diving instructor who has recently joined Team Fastrax coming from such former skydiving locations as Las Vegas where he jumped over 1,600 times in 9 months, one of which was a tandem jump with Paris Hilton. The flag is the largest American Flag being flown by skydivers.  The flag will also be a part of the opening ceremony skydiving demonstration on Friday evening. 

Team Fastrax is the most professional of skydiving teams in the world and members hold many competitive awards. There are several divisions included in the 23 member team.

The 4-way formation  team will form as many different formations as possible during  the 120 MPH free fall.  Often they can form 40 formations in that 35 seconds before their parachutes open. 

The Team Fastrax Swoop Team focuses on the canopy (parachute) and lands at speeds of 80 MPH while twisting through a course on the ground.  Pilots perform moves with names like nac-nac, blind man, ghost rider, and switchblade.

Team Fastrax Demo/Tandem Team offer a first skydiving experience in tandem jumps or bring in the flag or banner at events around the world. 

The Start Skydiving Drop Zone at the Warren County Airport  is home base for Team Fastrax where they teach skydiving, offer a ground school and tandem dives.  For more information visit the  www.StartSkydiving.com website.

MidFirst Ohio Challenge is a three-day festival, July 20-21-22,  centered around a competitive hot air balloon event and demonstration skydiving located at Smith Park in downtown Middletown. The 2007 event will include a classic car show, 5K race, balloon glows with skydiving fireworks, geocaching, musical concerts, arts & crafts, festival foods and other attractions.

For more information about MidFirst Ohio Challenge, call 513-705-1770 or visit www.ohiochallenge.com website.  #####