BALLOON FESTIVAL OFFERS ATTRACTIVE INVESTMENT

READINGTON, NJ --- Continuing a successful and long-standing relationship, PNC Bank will be returning in a key sponsorship role at the 27^th annual Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in Association with PNC Bank, the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America.

PNC Bank marks the second major sponsor announcement in as many weeks for the Festival following Quick Chek stores extension of its title sponsor position for the upcoming event, July 24-25-26, 2009. The three-day Festival at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ – halfway between New York City and Philadelphia - attracts upwards of 175,000 people and worldwide media coverage in the nation’s most coveted marketplace.

“We are delighted to announce the continuation of PNC Bank’s sponsorship of the Festival,” said Howard Freeman, the Festival’s Executive Producer. “Their involvement allows us to do many great things for the community throughout the year, especially for school children. PNC Bank has fully embraced the Festival and all it has to offer. They don’t look at this as a three-day event, but rather as the opportunity to rise above and present very meaningful service programs over several months. As an integral part of the most successful family entertainment event of its kind, PNC Bank receives positive awareness and numerous branding opportunities to expand their customer base.”

"The thrilling spectacle of hot air balloons in flight, great musical entertainment, scrumptious food, the excitement of the midway and much more, all make the Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in Association with PNC Bank one of the most outstanding family events held in New Jersey at any time of year," said Joseph Whall, Director of Client and Community Relations for PNC Bank. 

PNC Bank activates their promotions long before the Festival takes place. The sixth annual PNC Bank “American Patriot Essay Contest” takes place in March and April where school children in grades 2-12 throughout New Jersey are encouraged to write about “What the American Flag Means to Me.” Last year the contest attracted well over 1,000 thoughtful and beautifully written entries. The Grand Prize winner is announced on television coupled by a visit to their school by one of the Festival’s gigantic, 75-foot-tall hot air balloons. The winner also receives a hot air balloon ride for two at the Festival in July. 

PNC Bank’s “Grow Up Great” school readiness program introduces the magic of ballooning to preschool children by providing a very unique, hands-on learning experience. Hundreds of children ages 3 to 5 have the opportunity to step inside a cold inflated balloon in May and June to experience thrills and visual attractions as they go outdoors to study the world around them. PNC Bank’s “Grow Up Great” program is the most comprehensive corporate-based school readiness program in the country, a 10-year, $100 million investment dedicated to help produce stronger, smarter, and healthier children, families and communities, preparing young children for school and life.

The PNC Bank American Flag Balloon, the largest free-flying American flag in the world and a Festival favorite, is proudly inflated on Flag Day in June and for the Fourth of July in honoring America, events that have been broadcast by the New York television morning shows. 

PNC Bank’s on-site activities throughout the Festival weekend include the American Flag balloon taking flight during the Festival’s five scheduled mass hot air balloon ascensions, providing its “Grow Up Great Mobile Learning Adventure” to attendees and presenting the Festival’s concert headliner on Sunday afternoon.

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PNC BANK SPONSORS BALLOON FESTIVAL – p. 2

PNC Bank is one of the nation’s largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management; asset management and global fund services.

For additional information about sponsorship and marketing opportunities, please call 1-800-HOT-AIR9 or visit online at www.balloonfestival.com.

CONTACT:   

Howard Freeman, Quick Chek NJ Festival of Ballooning, 973-882-5464

Joseph Whall, PNC Bank, 732-220-3057

Russ Mensch, Mensch & Company, Inc., 201-797-2448