2007 Balloon Fiesta

Dawn Patrol

Dan, Tim and I arrived at the Balloon Park in time for the Dawn Patrol. It was a beautiful, clear morning with a chill in the air.

Dawn Patrol #2

Dawn Patrol #3

This was one of my favorite Dawn Patrol balloons.

Inflating the Flag Balloon

This balloon would be the first one to ascend, after the sun rose. It would carry the American flag.

Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light

First Wave

After the singing of the national anthem, other balloons began to inflate. These are a few of the early ones.

About to Ascend

This balloon was fully inflated and about to ascend.

Aloft

From the ground, looking up into the envelope of the balloon as the burner flares.

Peek-a-boo

Peek-a-boo #2

The Carousel

A Smile at the Top of the Balloon

A crew member helps hold open the envelope of the balloon so the air can be heated with the burner, causing the balloon first to inflate, and then to "stand up."

Waiting Their Turns

Seeing Pink Elephants!

Beginning to Fill the Sky

As you can see, you are free to go among the balloons, even as they are inflating them. Children go from balloon pilot to balloon pilot, asking for their balloon trading cards.

Waiting for the Go-Ahead

Each balloon pilot must wait for the okay to lift off from one of the "zebras." Zebras are the launch directors, who are dressed in black-and-white.

Dan #1

This balloon only had a pilot and one crew member. They were struggling to get the balloon inflated, so Dan offered to help.

Dan #2

Dan #3

The Zebra instructed the pilot to move his balloon to a clear area before ascending. Dan and the other crew member move the gondola out to an open space.

Smilie is Up!

The yellow smilie face balloon was the one Dan helped crew. It's name is "Skip & Cherie's Smilie."

The Burner Heats the Air

The Skin

While other balloons prepare to ascend, two more are stretched out on the ground, waiting to be inflated.

Wells Fargo Stagecoach Wheel

I was standing right beside the Wells Fargo Stagecoach. It is a massive balloon, and I couldn't get all of it in a photo.

Stagecoach from Inside

I stood at the base of the Wells Fargo Stagecoach and took this picture looking up into the interior of the envelope.

Whoosh!

And then they lit the burner!

Darth Vader

I missed Darth Vader's ascension. He went up while Dan was helping with the Smilie balloon. But I did capture his picture as he went overhead.

Woodrow C Greenleaf

This tree balloon is another one of my favorites. It was partially hidden in this photo, by the WWJD balloon.

A Beautiful Sky

Mr. Bup

This turtle is known as Mr. Bup. He was fully inflated about the time we were leaving the park. Not sure if he got up, because the wind was beginning to be a problem for some of the shape balloons.