SARC Seeks Volunteers for Harford Balloon Festival

For the third year in a row, hot air balloons will lift into the sky over Bel Air to symbolize rising above abuse.

Organizers of the are looking for volunteers to help make the Sept. 22 event run smoothly.

Proceeds benefit Safety Awareness Resources Change (SARC), a Harford County nonprofit that helps provide resources to victims of domestic and sexual violence, child abuse and stalking.

Volunteers are needed to help with admission and registration, main stage entertainment, exhibitors, vendor hall, food vendors, hot-air balloon interactive demonstrations, horse ring and fainting goats, activity areas and overall festival operations, according to an announcement from SARC.

Volunteers must be either 18 or older or age 14 and older with parental permission. Those interested can sign up for one of three shifts: 8 a.m. to noon, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 7 p.m at the .

Last year the event attracted more than 2,500 people, .

The event features horse rides for kids for an additional fee, a scavenger hunt, interactive art activities, moon bounces, face painting, fainting goats, games, a balloon man and hula hoop entertainment.

A hot-air balloon “hare and hound race,” coordinated by Light Flight, is scheduled to lift off at 5:30 p.m. as long as weather permits.

Those interested in volunteering can visit the event site, email volunteer@sarc-maryland.org or call 410-836-8431.