Tonight was the official kick-off for our area’s third annual “Balloons Aloft” event—a two day hot-air balloon event that is free and open to the public. Last year, the event brought in an estimated total of 10,000 people. That’s right, 10,000! (In our little neck of the woods, that is a lot of people). The number of people attending is expected to double this year, according to the event organizers. There are about thirty different hot-air balloons that participate in the event each year (some feature very unusual shapes and colors). In addition for this year, there was an original P-51 Mustang (from the legendary “Red Tails” Squadron), an AT6 Texan, and a few other cool exhibits. My wife and I always look forward to this event each year. Besides enjoying the great “fair food” and seeing people we know, it is simply fascinating to see the hot-air balloon operators (or pilots) do their thing with the balloons. On both Friday and Saturday nights, the balloon pilots participate in competitive events and are also on hand to answer questions from the public. At dusk, several of the balloon pilots illuminate their balloons from the ground. It is really quite breathtaking to see. I took a few pictures of several of the things we saw tonight. I hope you will enjoy!
Here are a few balloons in the process of being inflated:
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Here's another one. Note: I was told that each hot air balloon is roughly seven stories tall!
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Two fully-inflated balloons:
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The pilot adjusts the flame on the balloon's burner:
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The Navy AT6 Texan (and no, that's not me sticking my head in the cowling):
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To be continued...
Michael
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