Balloon fest recalls IMS' early days.

Tethered balloons glowing at sunset and spectacular hot-air balloons dotting the skies near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will highlight the inaugural Speedway Lions Club Balloon Fest on May 11-12.

The Balloon Fest will take place in the field southeast of the 30th Street and Moller Road intersection, just northwest of the Speedway. Proceeds from the event will go to create an endowment for Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.

"The first race in the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was actually a gas-filled balloon race on June 5, 1909, more than two months before auto competition ever took place on the oval," said Jennifer Dixon, director of IMS Marketing. "Our hats are off to the Speedway Lions Club for bringing this tradition back for the month of May, and for their efforts to support a charitable institution like Gleaners."

The first round of the event, "S'more to Come," gets underway at 6 p.m. (EST) May 11 and will feature tethered balloons glowing in the evening sky along with s'mores snacks and a group sing-a-long. The evening's activities conclude at 8:45.

For round two of the event, "Break Fast Competition" at 5 a.m. May 12, spectators are invited to partake in breakfast bagels, sweet rolls and coffee or hot chocolate from Einstein Bros. Bagels as balloon pilots launch for a one-hour race in the skies above Indianapolis.

Later that morning, at 9 a.m., MBNA Pole Day gets underway at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with practice for Indy Racing Northern Light Series drivers. Qualifying for the elite 33-car Indianapolis 500 field starts at 11 a.m.

Balloon Fest concludes with "Dessert at Dusk," sponsored by Jasper Engines and Transmissions, at 6 p.m. May 12. Desserts and coffees presented by The French Confection and Einstein Bros. will be served while spectators watch the final balloon ascension and listen to strolling musicians until 8:45 p.m.