Up, Up and Away! - Plainville Balloon Festival




Hi Everyone!

If you didn't make the Plainville Balloon Festival this year, here's a look at what you missed!

It was my first time attending at such an early hour (5:30am for 6am launch). I've gone to the festival itself but missed the actual balloon launch.  Since it was so early, I figured there would be a few enthusiates, newscasters, fellow photographers......what I walked into were hundreds waiting, anticipating and very excited.  There were senior couples sitting in lawn chairs, families with children and pets, younger couples that were maybe on this outing together for the first time.  The morning couldn't have been any more perfect, not too cold but cool enough for a light sweater or sweatshirt.  Many were spread out on blankets enjoying their morning coffee.  Thankfully, my significant other, Joe was kind enough to go on this early morning venture with me complete with coffee.  He makes a great assistant :)



I caught this quite but accident but thought it was cute.  I love to see people out having a great time.  I think everyone was feeling like a kid that morning, lol.


As the sun started to rise, burners were fired up creating huge, forceful, beautiful flames. The crowd began to settle because we all knew what was to come.  The balloons were spread out, waiting to be filled and only minutes later we saw them start to rise.  Now was when we saw just how massive the balloons were.  All the hot air balloons were on display very similar to a car show.  You could walk around and visit the balloons, their operators, and look in awe at the various designs.






At last, we saw them begin to lift into the air with anywhere between 1 to 4 people inside the baskets.  Some hovered for a bit and others went higher and seemed to float in a circle to stay in the area.  Watching them was quite surreal.



This little early morning outing was definitely worthwhile and I can't wait for the next year!  Who's knows, maybe I'll even go up in one :)

Til the next adventure,
K






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