By Alex Bridges -- Daily Staff Writer

MILLWOOD — Hotter music will join the 12th Annual Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon & Wine Festival at Historic Long Branch in Clarke County this weekend.

Young festival-goers can find more to do, and wine-lovers can tip a glass to additional vendors as organizers anticipate a high turnout for this year's event.

"I'm expecting that we should have — despite the economy — approximately the same attendance as we had last year, which was about 75,000 people," said Mary Rodriguez, executive director of Long Branch Historic Home and Farm.

The drop in gas prices may also help draw more people, Rodriguez said.

Organizers expect to see 20 hot air balloons — many of which are special shapes — that may, weather permitting, fly from the site. Twenty is the limit set by the county regulations, Rodriguez said. Another two balloons may also remain tethered, she added.

Also, the festival will feature 21 wineries from around the state, up from 17 in 2007, according to Rodriguez. To go with the wine, the Dairy Association, in conjunction with the festival's main sponsor, Wendy's, will hold taste testings of yogurt and cheese.

Organizers nearly doubled the festival's offerings in the Kiddies Korner, featuring the Children's Annex tent with puzzles, games, rides, face painting and Susie the Clown; live entertainment from Beale Street Puppets, Peter McCrory's One Man Band and Haywire Masters of Magical Mayhem; Jumpworks Inflatables; a rock climbing wall; jungle tree climb; and a moon bounce.

"So it's just a real plethora of activities" for children, Rodriquez said.

Organizers also wanted to up the ante with the live music, and tapped Washington-area bluegrass legends the Seldom Scene to play Sunday, as well as Furnace Mountain. Saturday's lineup features Gold Heart and Larry Keel & Natural Bridge. The Shenandoah Sheiks will perform jazz music on Friday.

Past festivals featured more local musical acts.

"This year we've sort of bitten the bullet and decided we want to spend a little more money and hope that, even though we have not increased the rate of admission at the gate — it's still $10 — that people will really feel they're getting a higher return on their investment," Rodriguez said.

On Friday, the festival will hold the Pumpkin Glow when balloon pilots will light their burners at dusk. Nalls Farm Market will provide pumpkin-carving demonstrations. On Saturday and Sunday, festival-goers can partake in wine-tasting, see classic car shows and the Old Dominion Fire Society antique fire engine display, watch Plane Crazy radio-controlled planes and lawnmower races, and peruse a variety of arts and craft vendors.

Some activities require a fee. The festival will be held rain or shine, but balloons will fly, weather permitting.

Organizers urge festival-goers who purchase wine to drink responsibly and designate a driver for the ride home. Picnics are welcome, but festival workers reserve the right to inspect all coolers, picnic baskets and bags brought onto the property.

* Contact Alex Bridges at abridges@nvdaily.com