Moonglow

It has been quite a few years since we have been to the annual Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival, and with perfect clear, cool, and calm conditions, we decided to go down to Crandall Park in Glens Falls for Moonglow night. It is more of a sunset event with hundreds of people watching the balloons being set up and inflated, then tethered to stay on the ground (usually just being held by crew members). There were 13 balloons, all so colorful and unique, with some being inflated, and others being deflated as nighttime approached.

At night the propane fired burners really lit up the characters:

In honor of the 50th anniversary of this festival, there was a gigantic birthday balloon on site...and gigantic it was, especially standing underneath it. You can even hire it for your party or event!

What a fantastic way for everyone to get up close and personal with the balloons, their crews, chase vehicles and to find out how they work.

First they are unrolled, attached to the baskets, which are on their sides, and filled with air from large fans.

Then when they are almost filled, the burners are lit.

Then it's time to tip up the basket and hold it down!

Moonglow was a huge success, and the quarter super moon setting made it even better (that's it to the right of the lion).

Next time we hope to show up with a shirt like this crew member, that was total hot air balloons. However, we won't be showing up with a balloon though. I read that the initial cost can be from $40,000-$150,000! That doesn't include training, certification, travel costs, crew, propane, and maintenance. The shirt works for us and we'll watch everyone else. 

Footnote: These balloons and many more were scheduled to fly from the Glens Falls Airport this Friday and Saturday morning and evening, weather permitting.