See the Balloon Fest video here:
LAKE HAVASU CITY – The annual Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair on the shores of Lake Havasu has had another successful run. Past President of the Festival, Jim Day, reported, “This year had roughly 70 sport balloons, which are the typical round balloons. But then we had about 12 special shapes, shapes that are really great for doing photo ops. We set’em up on the grass here at the park.”
If you missed this years’ Havasu event, mark it on your calendar for next year around the second week in January. According to Day, the best time to see the balloons take flight is “early in the morning, when there’s no wind, so if you’re looking to see balloons fly, it’s best to be at the festival early in the morning. I’m talking 7:45 am.”
Unfortunately, the winds this year were not as co-operative as in past years so actual flights during the later hours were limited. However, the event organizers present many other sights and activities as part of the “fair” portion of the festival. There is a classic car display, a police dog demonstration, plus dog Frisbee, to say nothing of the non-stop bands playing, and display booths as far as the eye can see.
One of the special events, each year, takes place shortly after sunset each evening and that is “Glow’in on the River” where balloons are inflated, but tethered to the ground, and lit up for great up-close viewing. That’s the finished product of the “glow’in”, but there is plenty to see as the balloon pilots and their crew get set up.
There’s a lot more to the “balloon pilot” aspect as outlined by long-time “ballooner” Morgan Braden.
“You have to take a minimum 10 hours of flight instruction with a certified flight instructor. You have to pass an oral test, a written test, and a flight test, all administered by the FAA.”
Former event president Day said, “Havasu City receives many benefits from the Balloon Festival and Fair. “This event is owned and operated by five service clubs. We have three Rotary Clubs, one Kiwanis Club, and one Lions Club. And then the proceeds that go to the clubs, we turn around and give it back into the community to other non-profits. Last year, we gave away two hundred, fifty thousand dollars. That was pretty good. We’re well over a million dollars that we’ve given in the last 14 years.”
Allen Scott, TSN Online
