LOCALadk Magazine

Fall 2017 LOCALadk Magazine 17 LOCALadk Adirondack Balloon Festival By Anne Brewer I still remember the excitement of my first hot air balloon ride. It was 1995 at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. I volunteered to be on a chase crew, which entailed helping one of the pilots set up and then chase down her balloon to ensure a safe landing. I stayed an extra day and was rewarded with an invitation to ride along in the balloon during the mass ascension. There were hundreds of balloons in the sky, each casting a huge shadow. As amazing as that flight was, it was the balloonists and crews that really made the lasting impression. Balloonists are fun people! They are passionate, meticu- lous, calculated, daring – and really know how to enjoy the sport of hot air ballooning. They celebrate by toasting suc- cessful flights and are always ready to help a fellow pilot in need. I also learned that balloon pilots, like most pilots, love to talk about their sport. If you go to a festival don't be shy – find a pilot and start asking questions. You may learn more than you wanted but you also may become hooked on the sport of hot air ballooning. The Adirondack Balloon Festival is celebrating their 45th anniversar y this fall from September 21st to the24th at Cran- dall Park and Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Glens Falls. The festival is a nonprofit event run by a group of dedicated volunteers who rely on the local community and donations to keep this free event happening year after year. Over 100 balloon pilots will be on hand to demonstrate and showcase their unique balloons. There will also be an opportunity to book a scenic ride and see the special shape balloons. The festival begins on Friday with a craft show and live mu- sic and, starting at 5:00 p.m., the flight of up to 80 balloons, including special shapes. Saturday starts bright and early with an All-You- Can-Eat Breakfast followed by flights taking off between 6:30 and7:30 a.m. Evening flights will be from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m., as well as the 8:00 p.m. "Lighting Up the Night" Moonglow with up to 30 balloons. Sunday will feature the " Walter's Mass Ascension." Can you picture up to 100 balloons ascending simultaneously? Set the alarm early and arrive at 6:30 a.m. to experience this amazing sight. Balloons need the right weather so this and all flights will be weather-permitting. Please leave the dog, drones, and smokes at home. This is a family-friendly event that is gra- ciously offered for free. Come and support all those who make this event possible. Erin Reid Coker Mar Noonan

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