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| Beautiful balloons on a beautiful weekend |
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| Finally! |
When I lived in Arizona, I attended the Thunderbird Balloon Classic (and had the balloons fly over my house) …
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| 1984 in Phoenix (that hair!) |
When I lived in Texas, I went to the Plano Balloon Festival …
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| I remember this one being fairly warm |
And I’ve attended the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta twice (although I guess I never blogged about it) ...
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| Back in 2009 |
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| Albuquerque 2021, where we saw balloons only on the ground |
Plus, I’ve photographed balloons from time to time, including the time Scott and his mom took a ride over Phoenix (that field was right behind our house, making seeing balloons commonplace for us) …
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| Up, up and away, 1984 |
And the time we stumbled upon some balloons at Valley of the Gods in Utah (they have a balloon festival in February, which would be awesome to attend, weather permitting) …
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| This was incredible |
Heck, I even went up in one in Napa Valley in 1999 (the pilot was a real hot-dogger who crashed into power lines a week after we went up) ...
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| This balloon carried a crowd |
But, I’ve always missed the festival in my hometown.
Why? Well, I am usually traveling over Labor Day weekend …
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| Just a few Labor Day adventures |
… including the celebration of life for Scott’s mother in 2021 ...
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| An unexpected trip to Florida |
Then, with COVID in 2020, there wasn’t a full festival. They had a “truncated version” where small groups of balloons took off from multiple locations and flew over the city so that people could watch from home. That was a clever idea and a nice gesture to all of us who were hunkering down at home.
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| Seeing balloons in the sky always makes you smile |
This year, despite all of our traveling, we were home on Labor Day. So, Caty came down and we attended all three days: Two lift offs and one evening glow.
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| Multiple ways to watch |
We didn’t attend one Lift Off and one glow and we opted not to hang around for other activities and events, including music performances, “warbird” model planes, sky-diving and so forth. We tried to see the remote-controlled model balloon demo, but we didn’t understand how the schedule was explained and it was over when we got there (we thought it was 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but it was actually some time in that window when the winds are right).
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| It's hard to tell without context, but these are smaller-scale remote-controlled balloons |
About the Event
The Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off is the “largest and longest continuously running hot air balloon festival in the Rocky Mountains.” It is held over the Labor Day weekend at Prospect Lake in Memorial Park, which is in the middle of Colorado Springs.
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| A fun event |
The event actually began in 1976 as a race among a small group of friends in Black Forest, a small community at the north end of The Springs. The entry fee was a six-pack of beer and the race drew 100 spectators. The following year it became an official event.
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| An old program |
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| They take off one after another and follow (or not) |
The first morning, we were in the midst of the lifting off balloons and noticed that some seemed to land right after they took off. Actually, they were dipping close to (or into) the Prospect Lake that was just over the rise. We were sorry we didn’t explore because that would make great photos.
But, we remedied that on day 3.
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| Nice reflection |
Back to the facts: In 2014, the organizers of the event had a disagreement with the City Council over a mandate that for-profit events needed to pay for police support for crowd control and for barricades for road closures, which for the Balloon Classic would total $24,000.
Apparently, negotiations didn't go well and the organizers announced that they were moving the event to another, more accommodating, place.
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| The event stayed |
The official history says that that didn’t happen because the citizens of Colorado Springs “voiced passionate support to keep the event in the city.”
I can’t find anything that explains how it was resolved, but it is now non-profit. So, maybe that's it.
Anyway, it stayed. And, the festival became “bigger and better” with more activities for families to do in case the balloons are grounded due to poor weather. “Poor weather” has a very low bar: wind speeds must be below 8 mph on the surface, with zero rain or thunder and there must be enough visibility to see five miles.
Balloons are grounded all the time; when we went to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta last year, the balloons never took off.
And, the weather seemed fine to us.
Like New Mexico, Colorado is considered a prime location for flying hot-air and helium balloons because the cool, thin mountain air "allows balloonists to reach great heights while using less fuel and carrying heavier loads." Colorado Springs offers the added benefit of the Pikes Peak as a great backdrop for photographs.
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| The wind didn't take them close to Pikes Peak this year, but you can see it here |
In 2015, the Colorado Balloon Classic was renamed the Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off.
Now, it attracts about 75 balloons from all over the U.S. (and occasionally foreign countries; this year there were two from Belgium).
Over the three days, there were more than 200,000 spectators.
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| Big crowds (but, oddly, not oppressive) |
Now, the Lift Off is one of the five largest balloon exhibitions in the country and the largest air show in Colorado. And, here’s a shocker: it’s free for spectators.
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| A real deal |
Yes, you do have to pay for parking if you use one of the lots in Memorial Park. The first day we went, we parked in a nearby neighborhood on the street for free. The second time, when we went for the evening event and arrived before they started collecting parking payment. The third time, we parked in a private area for more than what Memorial charges. Our total outlay was $20 plus the cost of a couple of snow cones – for three days of excitement.
Of course, the event is dependent upon sponsors, whose presence is obvious on the ground and in the air.
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| Xfinity, sponsor of the first Lift Off, got to go off first |
One of the sponsors, Rainbow Ryders, also sells balloon rides (at $350 a pop). We did not do it this year, but might in the future because the photography opportunities would be legend.
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| This could be cool; Left Photo: Jon Thompson, Labor Day Lift Off Facebook page |
Lift Off
So, over the three days, we attended two morning Lift Offs, one on Saturday and one on Monday. This is where groups of brightly colored balloons take off in rapid succession, filling the sky.
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| A sky full of balloons |
This year, with 75 balloons, there were two Lift Offs each day: one at 7:00 a.m. and one about 20 minutes later. Not all balloons lifted off every day.
Of course, we arrived before the sun came up so we could watch the balloons set up and inflate before taking off.
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| Getting ready to go |
They take off right after dawn because the air is cooler, the winds are typically light and thermals, vertical air currents caused by ground heating, have not yet formed.
The process goes like this:
The field is marked with zones to which each participating balloon is assigned. The balloonists arrive with their trucks or vans and line up so that the balloons will be oriented correctly for take-off. Because spectators are allowed to wander freely among balloons, this often requires a balloon crew member to shoo people off (there is lots of chair moving).
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| You need space for the trucks and inflated balloons |
The basket is lifted out of the van/truck and placed where the bottom of the balloon will be.
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| Moving the basket is probably the hardest (physically) part |
Once everything is set up, a large fan is used to blow air into the balloon’s envelope and inflate it.
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| Inflating on the ground |
Then, the basket is tipped and attached and the propane flame is used to heat the air, causing the envelope to further inflate and lift up.
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| These have filled sufficiently to lift the basket upright |
During this process, crew members (owners, friends, volunteers), keep the envelope from swaying too much by holding tight to tether ropes. I suspect, they have very strong arms and core muscles.
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| Before they are fully inflated, they are crowded together, bumping into each other |
The balloons are always tethered to the ground (often attached to the vehicle or trailer) until they lift off. When the balloon is full enough, the pilot and passengers climb into the basket and wait clearance from a referee to lift off.
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| Cool job: Balloon Referee |
Once in the air, the flame is intermittently ignited to heat the air. The warmer the air, the higher the balloon goes.
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| Lifting off and flying |
It is steered by changing altitude and catching different wind currents. Balloons are absolutely silent as they drift, punctuated by the loud roar of the massive propane-fueled flame. Watch here:
On our first Lift Off, there were “box winds,” which means the wind moves in different directions at different altitudes. This gives the balloonists lots of opportunities to steer. On our second Lift Off, the winds were all moving in the same direction, giving the balloons less control. Therefore, they didn’t fly as long or as far.
I’ll talk about landing in a moment.
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| They can stay quite close together after initial lift off |
On Saturday morning and evening, we positioned ourselves right in the middle of the crowd. You can walk around freely, getting very close to the balloons as they are filled up …
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| Master Yoda doesn't seem too happy about being inflated |
… fired up …
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| Building some lift |
… and lifted off (watch it here) ...
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| Off they go (Master Yoda still looks unhappy) |
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| We were after a good reflection |
On Monday morning, we opted to position ourselves on the shore of the lake so we could watch balloons do a touch-and-go on the surface (or, for some, near the surface). This is what we had missed the first day.
This used to be a formal part of the program, but now it is just the balloons that opt to do it. In 2019, it was completely halted (and the lake was closed) because of a dangerous algae bloom. The lake seems healed now and a few balloons tested their skills in the surface.
Some did a perfect skim …
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| Spot on! |
And, some got down pretty far in the water …
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| This one gave use a fright because we didn’t think it was going to get back up |
I messed around too long to get a video of a touch down, but I did get Journey as it left after its skim.
We wanted beautiful reflection, but we didn't end up with perfect shots. Either we weren't positioned properly or there was too much breeze or a combination of the two. There is always next year.
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| Left, what we wanted; Photo: Eden Glow Photography; Right, what we got |
Glow
On Saturday evening, we attended the “Balloon-Glo,” The Labor Day Lift Off’s evening glow.
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| Even though they don't fly, this is the best part |
This primarily spectator sport happens around sunset when the balloons set up and inflate.
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| This is the Albuquerque Fiesta's special 50th anniversary balloon |
They never leave the leave the ground, but instead use their propane flames to brightly illuminate the balloons. In addition, some balloonists just set up their baskets and burners.
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| You can see the difference between flame and no flame (these two were not in sync) |
As the skies darken, balloonists are asked to flame in unison and in spurts, creating a 360-degree light show.
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| It's quite a show |
Once again, you are free to roam around, getting right up close to the balloons.
You can feel how incredibly hot those plumes are and see how dangerous this sport can be.
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| It's amazing that these guys have any eyebrows left |
Then, as we left for the evening, we were able to look back across the lake to see the entire group flaming away.
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| It’s a truly magical thing to experience |
A big bonus of the Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off is the temperature: a bit chilly, but not cold, in the morning; a bit warm, but not broiling, during the day; and downright pleasant during the evening glow.
You can watch the Balloon-Glo here.
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| But, it's better in person |
A Broad View and Landing
On Sunday, we didn’t attend events, but Caty and I got up early to see what the balloons looked like from our house. We quickly discovered that the view was somewhat blocked, so we sped off to Cheyenne Mountain State Park to get a better angle.
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| A bit far |
Yes, we could see balloons, but they were just too far on a hazy morning for good photos.
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| Still not good |
Not to be deterred, we took off after some, eventually following three balloons (including Ivo, one of my favorites) to a neighborhood park.
This experience was probably akin to what the chase vehicles do (although I am sure they keep in touch via cell phone).
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| And, off we went |
It was fun to watch the balloons land as neighborhood kids continued to play on the swings and slides.
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| The kids didn't miss a beat |
From what we could see, it appeared that small numbers of balloons landed at various parks and fields across southern Colorado Springs.
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| Maneuvering can be tricky |
Yep.
Anyway, Cris P., Ivo and a third balloon, Journey, set quietly down …
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| Easy landings |
... and slowly deflated as the wind inside them cooled …
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| A slow collapse |
They were laid out and rolled up (a process that takes several people to squish out air and roll up the envelope). Then, they were loaded up into the chase vehicle and life at the park returned to normal.
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| If you saw this out your window on a Sunday morning, would you get back to normal? |
The Balloons
Hot air ballooning was born way back in the 1700s. Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier of Annonay, France, experimented first with unmanned balloons and flights with animals, taking up the first humans in a tethered flight on October 19, 1783. The first free flight with human passengers just a month later.
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| Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier flight, 'Histoire des Ballons' by Gaston Tissandier |
Their gracefulness have made them popular from their first flights to today.
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| Most of us first learned about hot air balloons in the Wizard of Oz |
Modern hot air ballooning was born in 1960, when Ed Yost launched a balloon with a new nylon envelope and propane burner system of his own invention.
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| Propane revolutionized the sport |
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| "Modern" basket |
And, as the sport grew, it became competitive.
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| These are aircraft |
There are roughly 3,000 hot air balloons in the U.S. and about twice that number of certified pilots. Balloons are aircraft, even when tethered, and pilots must be certified by the FAA.
There are about 500 commercial sightseeing ride operators in the U.S.
There were several types of balloons at the Labor Day Lift Off. Teardrop is the most common. Some are more teardroppy (and, hence, more old-fashioned looking) than others. The really oblong-shaped balloons are actually racers, which are more maneuverable that the rounder traditional balloons.
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| Even the "same" shape has some variation |
Most have sewn-in designs made up of multiple colors of the lightweight nylon fabric.
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| Lots of patterns and colors |
Some have printed designs.
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| I assume these are more costly |
And, because some balloons have multiple sponsors, many have banners attached.
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| The banners aren't as pretty, so I tend to ignore them (sorry, Humana!) |
The second type is the Special Shape. The Lift Off had seven this year, including Alicorne, the unicorn …
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| A favorite of little girls everywhere |
Frog ...
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| This one was huge |
Darth Vadar and Master Yoda ...
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| Interestingly, both of these balloons are from Belgium |
Cris P. Bacon ...
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| I like the corn cob in the pocket |
Finley the Fish ...
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| A happy balloon |
And Ivo the Monster ...
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| My favorite! |
All the balloons are attached to a basket, also called a gondola. Most are made of wicker, although occasionally you’ll see one with a synthetic basket.
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| Wicker is old-fashioned, but it's light and easily cleaned |
The baskets are generally quite small, holding only two people plus the necessary propane tanks and burners.
However, baskets can be quite large, sometimes holding as many as 16 people, especially on balloons that offer commercial rides.
Some balloons eschew baskets for a jump seat.
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| The Dallas is a smaller balloon with just a seat |
Some of the balloons we saw I had seen before in Albuquerque.
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| These are from Albuquerque, 2021 |
Some were new to me.
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| Biker balloon? |
All were beautiful.
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| Such incredible sights as they fly in the blue Colorado sky |
And, next month, we're planning to do it again ...
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| Maybe I'll blog about it next time |
Trip date: September 3-5, 2022
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