Tea farmers in Nantou County turned to hot-air ballooning Saturday to get people interested in the black tea grown in their scenic township that is home to Sun Moon Lake. The Yuchih Township office and farmer's association offered rides on tethered hot-air balloons early Saturday morning to announce the arrival of the area's month-long tea festival to be held next month. Following Saturday's dry run, the township office will continue the tea promotion campaign by offering five-to-seven minute balloon rides every day at dawn and dusk from Sept. 9-16, with rides costing NT$500 apiece. Organizers of the event have set aside 120 free rides for disadvantaged students from elementary and junior high schools in the township. The black tea festival in October will feature a music and tea sampling occasion on Oct. 9, a promotional sale on Oct. 12-13, and tea and tea product fairs on Oct. 19 and 26.  Source: focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201309070015.aspx