The birds were released at 10:30 am this morning from South Clarksville, TN (355 miles). The video of the release will be posted on YouTube. Winds are out of the Southeast 7-8 mph.NOW...the reason for the delayed release, is at 1:00 am this morning the driver called and stated that the trailer was no longer drivable. The leaf springs broke on the trailer and the driver was able to make it to a service station to stay overnight and continued to monitor the birds and water them. We contacted multiple repair shops throughout the night and could not find parts or service until 7:30 am this morning. Clarksville is a rather big town, and it took time to get the parts and get them put back on the trailer. We are thankful that this did not turn out to be a major accident for the driver and liberator, as well as the birds. This decision was not made lightly and with the current weather conditions we feel there is enough time for the birds to get home on the day. The main factor in this decision, was the trailer was repaired enough to move the birds to a safe release location, however it is going to have to be left in Tennessee for proper repair. Birds circled the area 1 time and the driver and liberator reported that the birds were out of sight in less than 1 minute.
Birds are home, however they were attacked by a hawk shortly after arrival and are now flying. We will continue to monitor them and work on getting them into the loft.
If anyone is still looking for a hotel room for Race Weekend, below is information regarding local hotels and how far from the loft they are located. I have done some online searches and found that most of the rates are reasonable and some of the hotels I have provided booking links to the specific hotel for easier booking. Blue Chip Hotel & Casino is offering rates between $150-175 per night for the weekend depending on the room type and the day. Those rates are pretty good for it being the casino.Times & Dates Are EstimatesFinal Race Date Is Subject To Change Due To Weather- Saturday October 21st -Ganus Family Auction0499 S Holmesville RdLaporte, IN 46350*Birds on Display - 1:00 pm CST*Lunch Served - 2:30 pm CST*Auction Starts - 4:00 pm CST- Sunday October 22nd -Basketing of Hoosier Birds at LoftApproximately 1:00 pmLight Lunch & Drinks Served during basketingSunday Evening (approx 5:30)Banquet Dinner & Drinks ServedLoft Calcutta Auction (must be present)VITA KING PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE- Monday October 23rd - RACE DAY!Lunch & Drinks ServedApprox. 12:30 pmVITA KING PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASEHOTELSThere are currently NO ROOM BLOCKS at any hotelCLICK ANY HIGHLIGHTED HOTEL FOR LINK TO BOOKING SITEHampton Inn (7 miles from loft)Valparaiso - 219-531-6424Averaging $148-160 per nightHoliday Inn Express (7 miles from loft)Valparaiso - 219-464-9395$130-155 per night(This hotel was under exterior construction as of last weekend. Not sure if it will be completed by the 21st)Fairfield Inn (7 miles from loft) Valparaiso - 219-465-6225$130-140 per nightCountry Inn & Suites (7 miles from loft)Valparaiso - 219-386-2188Microtel (14 miles from loft)Michigan City - 219-210-3430$100-110 per nightCountry Inn & Suites (14 miles from loft)Michigan City - 219-214-4769$125-150 per nightHoliday Inn Express (14 miles from loft)Michigan City - 219-243-8300Comfort Inn & Suites (14 miles from loft)Michigan City - 219-250-2181Average $75 per nightThe Brewery Lodge & Supper Club(22 miles from loft)Michigan City - 866-625-6343Blue Chip Hotel & Casino(21 miles from loft)219-879-7711Average $155-$175 per nightThere are also 2 campgrounds in the area if anyone would like that information, please contact us.Air BNB is also an option that others have used in the past. Closest Major Airport to the loft is Midway Airport (MDW) - Chicago (50 miles)