ok graham,what happened this time!!!!! Plane diverted to asnother country,ran out of gas,canx flight:)

are u sure u should consider china!

Don't leave us in suspense! Did you have to land the plane yourself?

The flight from Vegas to Phili was fine and on time, the flight from Phili to Heathrow left on time and all was going well till the captain announced two hours into the flight that we needed to turn back due to Phili due to an instrument failure. So on the way back we were informed that another plane was waiting for us, then when we landed it would only be half an hour and then as we were getting of the plane it would hopefully be with us in an hour.......
So we eventually took off again some five and a half hours later, oh the joy of flying.

Dave Scott who organises the event along with balloon camp very kindly sent me a list of the winners;

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE COMPETITION ENTRANTS.
Here's a complete listing of the Award Winners.
Thanks to all who helped make the events a great time and huge success

The Balloon Couture Fashion Show
A tie for "Top Fashion Designer"
RIE HOSOKAI and SOFIE VANDERWYER
Both will be invited as Masters in 2010

Diamond Jam 2009 Competition Winners;

Diamond Seeker Busker Competition
1st Place (Tie) Sheldon Blake & Roger Godin
2nd Place Denzil Jackson
3rd Place Jeremy Telford

Diamond Star Performance Competition
1st Place Anthony Cooper
2nd Place Daniel Herron & Tom Vorjohan
3rd Place Sheldon Blake

Diamond Artist
Mark Verge

Diamond Master 2 Hour Competition
1st Place Benny Nieves
2nd Place Stu Gutter
3rd Place Jason Torikawa-Domingo

New Diamond First Time Competitor
1st Place Jeff Hatley
2nd Place Patti Gutter
3rd Place Christine Maziarz

Aspiring Diamond Youth Competition Age 4-14
1st Place Jason Torikawa-Domingo
2nd Place Adam Andrew Lenox

Hi Graham,
It was great to have you with us at Diamond Jam and Summer Balloon Camp. You got some great pictures and we appreciate your thoughts on the event. Thanks for keeping our friends across the sea up to date. We are very proud of the event and what it is able to offer to the industry. W have been fortunate to have some great teachers and the people in this industry are inspiring and always willing to share with other balloonists to help make the industry better. The talents shown at this year’s event were amazing. The Balloon Couture Fashion Show reached new heights in its display of creative artistry. Just to clarify one of your questions about participants having to be registered for the event, please allow me to explain. The Masters who are invited to create 2 dresses for the show have no costs and are compensated for their efforts. Those competing for the awards, as at other balloon industry events, are required to be registered for the event. At least in the States this is usually the case for any event that has a competition. In our case, arrangements with the host hotel require the event to pay for each person in the room during the meal prior to the show, whether they eat or not. Unlike most conventions we do not charge a fee to enter the competitions held at our events and the prizes are arranged by the event. This year over $10,000 in prizes was given to competition winners. By the way in 2010 the show will have two categories of competition. One for inflated and one for uninflated balloon dresses.
I appreciate your thoughts on the Busker competition. I think the concept of the Busker here in the States may be different than in the U.K. Rather than attracting a crowd the competition is based upon entertaining a mobile crowd, as opposed to entertaining a sitting audience. But, your thoughts are well taken and we’re looking at that competition more closely.
Again thanks for joining us and we hope to see you, and many of the talented Balloonists from the U.K., at both Diamond Jam and Summer Balloon Camp in 2010. The Creative Arts Convention next year will continue to help raise the artistry of Balloonists from around the world with new and exciting classes from additional related industries.
All the best
Dave Scott

Welcome back Graham and thank you for all of the posts and pictures - it looked lik a great event.

Thank you for the nice review Graham!!!

One correction it was spiderman not superman.

Graham, thanks for sharing all the pics and giving the reviews. Glad to see you made it home safely... if somewhat behind schedule. But if I ever work up the courage to fly, please remind me not to fly with you.

Bonnie, The Balloon Lady (who only just a few minutes ago was able to post to the forum. Been locked out since before you left for Vegas. grr)

Here is Marie Dadow's dress with the sparkle light; http://www.sparkleit.net/Sparkle_dress.html

The balloon fashion show from Diamond Jam 2009 has just been posted onto you tube, it's well worth a look;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeBC-NmEpR4