There promises to be electricity in the air at tonight’s ground crew training for the upcoming Great Mississippi River Balloon Race.

&uot;This is literally true,&uot;&160;said Sally Durkin, crew coordinator. &uot;Jesse Slaven of Entergy will be providing a power line demonstration at the end of tonight’s training session that promises to be a hair-raising experience for those who attend.&uot;

Slaven conducted this demonstration for a pilot safety seminar held at the Ramada Inn in February.

&uot;On the heels of the unfortunate fatality that occurred in Canton during the summer, I felt it necessary to further impress upon the crew members, especially new volunteers, the hazards and dangers that power lines play in ballooning,&uot;&160;Durkin said.

The crew training begins at 7 p.m. today and will be held at the Ramada. The training seminar is not mandatory.

However, Durkin stressed that the power line demonstration should be seen by experienced crew members as well as newcomers.

&uot;I encourage people who would like to be a part of the balloon races to come out and learn how to crew balloons,&uot; Durkin said.

&uot;It’s lots of fun, as the more experienced crew members will tell you, and although it’s hard work, it is very rewarding to see your pilot soaring through the air once you’ve gotten him or her off the ground.&uot;