We’ve been living near Sussex, NB, for 21 years and have always enjoyed the annual Balloon Fiesta. This year, the amazing volunteer organization is hosting its 40th event.
This year there were forty balloons participating and the launch field was truly crowded.
Up at 4:15, out of the house before 6 in the pitch dark, I headed over to the Princess Louise Park launch field. Several area businesses and land owners donate space to various local charities so they can offer paid (inexpensive at $5 for the day!) and supervised parking to visitors and make a little money for their own organizations at the same time.
Everything runs on volunteer power and it takes a plethora of people to put on such a huge event.
Take off happens at the whim of Mother Nature and the winds aloft. Today she cooperated and they were all able to head for the skies. Each balloon weighs about 500 pounds (not including the basket and burners etc.) and it takes a large crew of people to get everything set up.
With so many balloons setting up in close proximity to each other, it’s amazing that lift off happens so easily. One by one, the blew air into the balloons to inflate them followed by a few shots of hot air from the burners to finish the job. Then, the balloons are “stood up” and readied for the pilot and passengers to climb aboard the basket. I’m sure many people had some trepidation about flying, but talking to one of the ground crew folks, he said that once they lift off, they’re thrilled with the experience.
There were also some “character” balloons participating which thrilled the children. In the many years I’ve been going to the Fiesta, camera in hand, this morning’s crowd of early rising spectators was the largest I’ve ever seen.
One by one, the balloons continued to take to the sky accompanied by enthusiastic cheers from the spectators and waves from the excited passengers on board.
As more and more balloons took off, despite the early morning chill (it was a balmy 4º before sunrise), the crowd continued to grow. The event is sponsored by many local businesses who ardently support it. Some sponsor one or more balloons, others are general sponsors of the event – and all are greatly appreciated.
Once the sun rose, some of the chill in the air dissipated. My “trigger fingers” for my camera, however, were just about frozen. Many of the experienced spectators came prepared with warm clothes, blankets, chairs and thermoses of coffee. Tim Horton’s was on site offering free coffee. I would have grabbed one to at least warm my hands but the line was long and I couldn’t take my eyes off the excitement unfolding in the field in front of me.
I came home to thaw out and sort my photos. If you haven’t been to the #AtlanticBalloonFiesta yet, what’s keeping you? The pilots and their balloons come from around the world to enjoy flying in the serene Kennebecasis Valley.
This is, without a doubt, the best “don’t miss” event held in our town. Not only do the pilots and balloons come from around the world, but so do the spectators. While everyone is watching the flight unfold, they’re also talking to the people watching around them and new friendships are born from those connections. At the #AtlanticBalloonFiesta, it doesn’t matter where you’re from – if you enjoy the spectacle, you’re welcomed with open arms.
This annual event is the precursor to autumn and the nippy temperature this morning reminded me of that fact. Still, it is worthwhile crawling out of bed early in the morning, bundling up, and settling down to enjoy this amazing event. If you didn’t make it this year, enjoy the photos and plan to see it for yourself next year!
Capturing Cherished Memories 