The weather was beautiful, not unbearably hot as you would expect this time of the year. They had carnival rides and a bunch of food vendors and a kids area with crafts and activities, but we were focused on the balloons.
We scored a seat right next to the balloon field and enjoyed our picnic while we watched all of the balloon trucks arrive.
We had fun playing while we waited. The wind had been calm all day, but while we waited, the winds picked up a bit which caused some of the balloons to wait for the winds to pass.
For some reason (not complaining, I just wish I understood the mystic power), the wagon provides endless fun for the boys. They kept busy by opening and shutting the door, climbing in and out, switching seats, plus playing a few newly created games.
Balloons slowly started to inflate and take off. This one was my favorite of the evening - isn't it pretty?
The boys liked the train on this balloon. We learned that this type of printing on a balloon or lots of intricate cuts/colors in the fabric is very expensive. The announcers had some good nuggets of information, but they also had some completely random chatter than was pretty useless. In their defense, it seemed that they didn't have all of the information they needed about the pilots of each of the balloons.
Aren't these balloons beautiful? I remember the one in the background from the very first balloon festival we went to.
Bye-bye balloons!
I love all the colors when the balloons are inflating right next to each other. These balloons didn't take off, they were inflating in preparation to glow once the sun set.
Lots of great subjects to photograph! :)
See Elvis peeking out on the left and Darth Vader hiding behind the Wonder balloon on the right? The announcers said that a couple in Kansas City funded the Elvis balloon so it could come to the festival. I naively hadn't realized that the balloon pilots were paid to come to events and bring their balloons. Makes sense, I guess I just hadn't pondered it.
While we were watching the balloons, a truck arrived and started to lay out his balloon. The pilot came over and asked who wanted to help. I thought Scott would have fun with it (and it would be a good photo opp), so I volunteered him. :) A lady sitting next to him also headed out to the field to help. The funny part is the pilot thought Scott and the lady were a couple so he took a bunch of pics of Scott with her camera. Hahaha - I wish we knew who she was so we could get those pics!
Once the balloon started to inflate, we couldn't see Scott anymore until the balloon was up.
He had a good time chatting with the pilot and helping get the balloon inflated.
Once the balloon was inflated, it was dusk and time for the balloons to start their glow. After an initial glow, they opened the field for people to walk amongst the balloons.
The boys loved being able to walk amonst all of the glowing balloons. Liam got scared with all of the people and noise from the burners on the balloons, but he was fine as long as one of us was holding him.
I think the glow is so pretty.
Obviously - since there are a million pics to share with you.
The Darth Vader balloon came all the way from Belgium to be in the balloon festival. I wonder how you pack and ship a hot air balloon and basket.
More glowing!
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