The mass ascension of the balloons is scheduled to begin at sunrise. You need to get up incredibly early to drive to the fairgrounds, park, and find a good viewing spot. We were up and on the road by 3:30 AM.
As we neared the area, traffic came to a standstill. Inching forward with a battalion of cars, we eventually pulled into the parking lot in time to snag one of the remaining handicapped parking spots. It was about 5 am and dark, with a scattering of stars.
I must give huge thanks to Jeanne and Jack for renting and transporting scooters for us to get around the fairgrounds. It’s a massive area and I would have been in pain and miserable without it. It’s taken a while, but I’ve come to accept that I can no longer do what I easily did twenty years ago.
While we waited to enter the grounds, there was an impressive drone light show. It helped to keep everyone entertained as we slogged forward. Once we’d entered the gates, we found a great viewing spot. Then we waited. And waited.
Finally, a booming voice announced to the ever-growing crowd that for the moment, lift off was on hold. Though it was warm, there was a stiff breeze—too much wind for the balloons to safely ascend. The crowd waited patiently, at least there was a possibility the balloons would go up.
At 7, the voice returned to say the balloons were still on hold. But the official opening would begin with the singing of the National Anthem. As voices trailed off, hundreds of balloons flared propane into the sky. Shortly after, a squadron of jets (air force I assumed) sped through the sky in formation.
Opening festivities over, we again waited. Flights remained on hold. Finally, the now familiar voice announced that balloons had been cleared to go aloft. The crowd roared approval. Out on the field there was a flurry of activity as balloons were rolled out and inflation began.
Within about fifteen minutes the first balloons rose into the sky. That was followed by more and more and more. By this point the sun was up and the balloons gleamed in the light.
No photo or words will do justice to the thrill and beauty of the mass ascension. Hopefully, these photos will entice you to attend a future festival.
BTW — this is just a sampling of my photos — the festival is so photogenic I couldn’t stop. And they are all worthy of posting.