The theme for Balloon Fest 1994 comes from a 1960s song, but the history of the event goes no further than the 1990s.

Combining the old with the new, the Cape Girardeau Airport will be the host site to launch "Up, Up, and Away in My Beautiful Balloon" as Balloon Tour America dots the skies here July 22-24.

The Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts will host the event, which will include 40 hot-air balloons. There will be competitive balloon flights, tethered balloon rides, a balloon glow, an airplane fly-in, ground displays, arts and crafts, food and souvenir concessions.

Forty pilots from 19 states have registered with Balloon Tour America, which is conducted by Skysigns Unlimited of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., to compete in Balloon Fest 1994.

Returning pilots include Roy Caton of House Springs, Mo., and Steve Wilkinson of Thermal, Calif., the champions of the past two years. Among the corporate balloons participating in this year's event are Wehrenberg Theatres, Schlitz and Pontiac.

"We're really excited about bringing Balloon Tour America to Cape Girardeau," said Beverly Strohmeyer, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts. "This is the third year for some of the balloons to come to Cape Girardeau, but only the second year the Arts Council has sponsored Balloon Fest."

Added Strohmeyer, "We have an increase of five balloons over last year and a lot of other activities taking place at the airport."

Strohmeyer said Balloon Fest '94 is a family-oriented event with tethered balloon rides on Friday and Saturday evenings, weather permitting, and a balloon glow Friday at dusk.

"We're also having a pancake breakfast and an airplane fly-in on Saturday morning." Arts and craft displays, souvenirs, food concessions and ground displays of various aircraft will be available on Saturday. Hot-air balloon rides also will be available.

"Being up in a hot-air balloon is an experience you'll never forget," said Strohmeyer. "I had my first ride last year, and I'd love to try it again, even though I have a fear of heights."