Each year Marysville, Ohio hosts a balloon festival. Since it is nearby we usually drive up to check it out, but most times the weather is uncooperative and they don’t fly. On this Saturday evening however it was sunny with light winds so we knew they would get in the air.
We found our spot on some train tracks with a number of other people.
About 6:30 they started to inflate them as a helicopter kept watch.
From our vantage point they appear to be very close to each other as they inflated.
Eventually they took off, one immediately after the last one.
And into the air!
Unfortunately we were facing into the sun for the takeoff, but it make for some interesting lighting – even the bird had a good silhouette.
Once most were airborne we took off to follow them.
It was easy to know where to go – follow the chase vehicles.
Most of the balloons seemed to struggle to gain altitude and came down after a short distance. Apparently there was too little wind.
With all the huge open fields they unfortunately all starting landing in yards with wires and trees – but all the pilots managed to set them down without incident.
The people who lived nearby came out to assist.
The crews arrived to help.
This house has a 2 car garage and 2 balloon side yard.
Deflating was quick.
It did cause a mini traffic jam on the small road (we helped cause the traffic jam by parking along side the road).
The Remax (a real estate company) balloon landed in a narrow patch of grass between numerous trees.
Uncle Sam was the last one standing.
It did leave the neighbors amused with the unexpected guests.
While the flights were short hot air balloons always make a good subject for photography, and we enjoyed the evening.
RDZ Photography 