Thursday kicked off the Adirondack Balloon Festival, which is a big highlight in our area. There are launches all weekend and a mini launch on Thursday to get things going. We can walk to the park where the mini launch is, which is really nice to be able to avoid parking!
About 14 balloons go up in the park. 
It was cloudy, but no wind, so launch was a go.
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Here is a balloon just getting laid out:
The basket, which looks really small!
I can’t believe they can cram 3 or 4 people in there.
Big fan blowing air in:
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Now time for the flame:
It was hot standing near this. It must have been really hot for that guy!
Inflated. Night of the lepus!
I had to back up to get a picture of the full balloon 😀
I love the balloons! The launches over the weekend have 80-100 balloons going up. It is held at the county airport. It’s very crowded and parking is difficult, so we don’t go too often. We have ridden bikes, but if the launch is late – it starts to get dark while we ride home. Some day I would like to get up for the daybreak launch, but that is pretty early LOL!
What fun! I love seeing the process of getting a balloon ready to fly. And all the colorful balloons just make me happy. 🙂
Me, too. That why I try to get to at least one launch during the festival. 😀
That is so cool! I would love to see that. But not be IN one! YIKES!
Surprise post!
I love the first couple of photos – the colors are so vibrant. It must really be something to see that. And I’m with Lisa – NO WAY do I want to be in one of those baskets.
Come up here next year for the festival, Helen. It’s very cool.
Balloons are so cool, aren’t they? Have you ever been up in one, Lori? It’s what I’m hoping to do for my 60th birthday – head to Sedona and treat myself to a hot-air balloon ride 🙂
I haven’t been in one. I’m a little afraid of heights, so it’s not really on my list to do – especially seeing how tiny that basket is LOL!
I always love seeing your balloon festival post Lori! Its a great reminder of the Anniversary Hubs and i went up in a balloon in Albuquerque , NM… It was fantastic.. Hubs got to help with the set up.. He was in his element.. I do recommend going in cooler weather as the fire gets quite hot above your head.. Pretty pics ! Hugs! deb