Balloon race weekend is here posted Thursday, October 15th, 2009 @ 8:53 am  E-mail Story |  Print Story  Several events are slated in connection with The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race this weekend. Whether you enjoy the festival on the grounds of Rosalie on Broadway Street in downtown Natchez or browse the annual flea market on the Louisiana side -- the weekend offers a variety of activities. But mainly, weather permitting, you will see hot air balloons fill the skies of the Miss-Lou. Balloon flights are set for 7 a.m. each morning if weather allows with afternoon flights planned for 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The weekend starts with the Balloon Glow Friday night. Festival gates open at 6 p.m. Entertainment includes Better than Ezra and Easy Eddie & the Partyrockers. Fireworks go off at 7 p.m. sponsored by the City of Vidalia. Saturday entertainment at the festival grounds includes Country Fried, Brint Anderson Band, Hill Country Revue, Leon Russell, The Vettes and Better Than Ezra. Sunday offers the Paula Nelson Band, KingBilly and Rhett Atkins. Admission for adults (13 and up) is Friday $5, Saturday $15, Sunday $10 or weekend pass for $25. For children (7-12) prices are Friday $1, Saturday $3, Sunday $3 or a weekend pass for $5. Admission is free for children six and under. This annual Vidalia Landing Flea Market on the riverfront will include an estimated 120 vendors set up in an open air style. Vendors include several local residents and craftsmen from Louisiana and Mississippi but also vendors from Oklahoma, Florida, Arkansas and Texas. Merchandise will range from everything from silver to really good junk. There will be everything from ready-to-wear to glassware, gumbo pots to flip-flops. Food booths will offer just about everything fattening and fried including catfish, onions, chicken, and pork skins. The Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office will be supplying a dining tent. Children's attractions will include interactive games and inflatable jumping bags. The Vidalia Landing Flea Market is open to the public with free parking and no admission charges.