Today is the second ‘official’ day of the Sussex International Balloon Fiesta. This morning crews, pilots, passengers and spectators gathered in the pre-dawn light to get ready for the group launch.
Everyone from infants to grandparents was roaming the grounds at the Princess Louise Park watching the process of assigning passengers to specific balloons and pilots, while the crews drove onto the field and started the setups.
Although it was pleasant on the ground, when the balloons reach flying height, it can be chilly up there. Smart passengers dress for it.
It always amazes me how close together the balloons are when on the ground and being blown up – first by large fans and then by their propane heaters. They literally rub on each other until someone finally lifts off leaving a bit of room for the next ones.
It was this wee one’s first Fiesta. Some day, when she’s all grown up, this photo of a ‘first’ will become important to them. She loved the bright colours!
One by one they lifted off, filling the sky with a brilliant patchwork quilt of colours and shapes.
They rise so quickly once they’re ready and then they all fly off, following the air currents above our beautiful Kennebecasis River Valley. The launch field was empty.
But, the sky was filled with colour.
In our town the Balloon Fiesta serves as a colourful wrap-up to the summer festivities. Kids are back in school, the days are shorter and cooler, and there’s a nip in the air. Lots of things are still happening, like horse shows at the PLP Show Centre, ball games on the fields in the Park, etc. but there’s a feeling of settling in for the seasons that follow.
Capturing Cherished Memories 