Florida Wine and Balloon Festival: High Times
The Florida Winefest, which has raised funds for children's charities for more than 20 years, has now morphed into Florida's only wine and balloon festival, with 20-plus hot air balloons waiting to rise this month above the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch. It's a rare opportunity to take to the beautiful Florida skies with a licensed pilot. Balloon rides lasting anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes (depending on conditions) are available at 7:15 a.m. April 6 and 7 ($225 per person); shorter, tethered rides lasting just a few minutes will be offered, too ($20), if the winds are calm enough. Info: 952-1109 or www.floridawinefest.org.