Baton Rouge hosts balloon championship BATON ROUGE, LA. (AP) (wrkf) - The skies of Baton Rouge will be dotted this weekend with hot air balloons, as an estimated 30 pilots compete in the Pennington Balloon Championship.

Cash prizes totaling $41,000 are on the line for competitors over three days of events. Pilots from 12 states are in town for the championship.

The first competition begins at sunrise Friday.

The free event is an annual tradition in the capital city that also includes skydiving displays, fireworks and live entertainment. It drew 92,000 watchers last year, and organizers expect at least 75,000 spectators again this year. © Copyright 2009, wrkf