Twice now my family has attended a regional Balloon Fest in our State. It's a weekend event, but we've only ever gone for an evening. There are competitive flights, tethered rides, balloon launches, and evening balloon "glows," when they fill the balloons get them erect- but don't take off, and keep them intermittently lit with their burners. There is other entertainment too, but we only go for the hot air balloons.
We enjoy the glow events because the kids can get up close to the balloons.
They can stand next to the gondolas (wicker baskets that the aeronauts ride in)
filled with strapped-in liquid propane tanks, burners, an other paraphernalia.
They can watch as the envelopes (balloons) are being laid out on the grass.
They can ask the owners and pilots questions.
They can see the high powered fans filling the balloons.
They can touch the nylon as balloons inflate.
They can hear the roar of the propane burners.
They can see how the burners are operated.
They can see the giant flames and feel the heat.
And ultimately, in the dusk and darkness,
they can see the balloons illuminated like giant fireflies
as music plays in the background.
This year, the night we went, the ground winds ended up being strong and gusty,
so the balloons were not able to remain inflated and lit by the time we left.
They may have been able to later. We didn't stay late enough to find out.
A few years ago, we saw the full deal though.
There were balloon launches and a spectacular balloon landing.
This is an outing that pleases all my children, regardless of their age.
