Hot air ballooning excites all the senses: sight, sound, smell, and touch. You hang there, seemingly by a thread, as you drift a couple of hundred feet over the land below. Because you’re borne by the wind, the only sound you hear—quite clearly—is the mooing of cows, the bleating of sheep from the farm below. You smell new-mown hay, and feel the dampness of the river as you pass over.
This species of aviating is like none other.
There are more places to experience it now than ever. Here are a trio of balloon fests that are borne in by the springtime winds:
The New Smyrna Beach Balloon and Sky Fest is set for March 23 and 24. See amazing nighttime Balloon Glows and daytime formation flying by aerobatic aircraft. Some 30 balloons will ferry folks aloft Saturday and Sunday mornings, before the winds pick up. Be one of them.
The Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Race rolls around April 27 through 29. That horse race isn’t the only event coming to Louisville this spring. Louisville Magazine once labeled this aerial display the city’s “Best Event.” The most spectacular part of the display just may be the Great Balloon Lift-off. The color, the majesty, the ‘I’m-a-kid-again’ thrill of it all have to be experienced in person.
The Walla Walla Balloon Stampede brings the big, bright sky balls to Washington State May 11 – 13. Be at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds early, at by 6:30, to see the daily launch. Night Glow is set for Saturday night. Get the weekend off to a bubbly start with a Champagne Reception Friday evening.
You’ll never look at flying the same way, not after you’ve flown in a big, beautiful hot air balloon.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Wajahat Mahmood)
