Polo America and Ford Trucks have joined forces again to create the first Hot Air Balloon to promote the sport of polo.  The seven story Polo America balloon will be sponsored in 2006 by Ford Trucks.  In addition to flying at polo events around the country, the Polo America balloon will be flown at the Albequerque International Balloon Fiesta.  An average 750,000 people will see the Ford Trucks Polo America balloon.   The Polo America balloon will make its innaguaral flight at the Ford Trucks Red, White & Blue Polo and Balloon Festival at the Eldorado Polo Club, Indio, CA   January 6-8, 2006

This star-studded weekend will feature celebrities on the polo field and above.   Expected attendance is 30,000.   Festivities will begin on Friday January 6 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.  Fifty Hot Air Balloons and seven special shape balloons will take off with Balloon Sponsors to start the Red, White & Blue Polo & Balloon Festival.   On Saturday morning January 7th the Balloons will take off at 6:30 AM from the Eldorado Polo Club.  Followed by a Pancake Breakfast and Polo Match.  Polo matches at 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM to be capped off with a Balloon Glow and a Battle of the Chefs dinner for sponsors in the clubhouse.  Food and Vendor Village open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM

On Sunday, January 8th the Balloons will take off from the Eldorado Polo Club at 6:30 AM.  Followed by a Continental Breakfast and Polo Match.   Polo matches at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM.  The finale will be a second Balloon Glow Sunday evening at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.  Food and Vendor Village open from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM

It has been almost 12 years since a balloon festival was last held at the polo grounds.   The combination of polo and hot air balloons is a winning combination to the Coachella Valley.  The Desert Sun said that season normally begins with the Bob Hope Classic but now season will begin with the Ford Trucks Red, White & Blue Polo and Balloon Festival.

The Red, White and Blue Polo and Balloon Festival is an event for the entire family.  In addition to the Balloon races and Balloon Glows, attendees will be able to see all facets of polo.  There will be children's polo game, women's polo game, senior's polo game, men vs women, father and sons, and high goal games.   Over 20 polo games will be played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Guests will be able to visit numerous vendor and food booths in the Polo Village on Saturday and Sunday along with the opportunity to purchase balloon flights each day.

Admission is free to all events with a donation to the families of our Service Men and Women serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.  For more information call Polo America at (760) 777-8081