Carolina BalloonFest Night Glow – When Tongues of Fire Light the Night!

Carolina BalloonFest Night Glow 10/20/12 © Katrena

Lots of folks head out the gate at the Statesville Regional Airport after the balloons lift off and sail away in a majestic array of colorful character in the crisp October breeze. But the evening ascension is only part of the fun at the balloon festival on Saturday. The night glow is a special treat for those who stay after dusk. I believe the Balloon Night Glow is only scheduled for the Saturday night portion of the balloon festival in Iredell County at this point.

Night Show at Statesville Hot Air Balloon Festival © H.M.W.

As the sky begins to paint its beautiful natural colors via the Piedmont sunset, some balloon pilots and their teams begin to return to the airport after floating above the Autumn palette. The chase vehicles and crews have gone out to follow their team and have carefully packed envelopes, gondolas, and other supplies after the landing, but these teams are not headed home. They are preparing for one last show of the day.

Balloon Glow at Night © Katrena

The atmosphere is a bit more laid back as each team picks a favorite open spot. A few people may head down to the field to meet some of the balloon enthusiasts. Spectators tend to spread blankets along the side of the hill while the kids may find it exciting to work their way up and down the steep areas. Everyone waits for dusk with expectancy. Yes, it is worth the wait.

Balloon Envelope Glow at Night © Katrena

North Carolina's Autumn night sky might still be dappled with a few lightening bugs, or fireflies for those of you reading who aren't from around these parts. But these lights come from fire, and it is not the fire Southern folks might enjoy as they roast marshmallows or hot dogs over an open flame. These fires are only lit after a wind storm...well, actually, the wind comes from a fan that blows the envelope open. After all, no balloonist wants to catch his or her ware on fire!

Night Balloon Fest in Iredell County © H.M.W.

As the balloons once again rise, something amazing happens as darkness closes around the field. As the flames rise, the balloon starts to glow. Some look like huge lanterns, aglow in a bright blaze of yellow, orange, red, or white. Others illuminate darker colors of green, blue, purple, and even black.

Statesville BalloonFest Night Glow in North Carolina © H.M.W.

My kids remarked that the nighttime Statesville Balloon Glow is sort of like a fireworks show, minus the loud booms. I agree. The flames create an unusual serenade as onlookers are dazzled. One balloon will flicker on for a few moments and as it begins to darken, another balloon begins to brighten the field. After most of the balloons are upright, someone starts counting down. My kids and I join in. "5...4...3...2...1!"

Fun Outdoor Activities in October © Katrena

Wow! All the crews begin to coordinate a huge glow as they light up their hot air balloons simultaneously. I hope the people who design and create balloons get the opportunity to see their work illuminated at night. It is almost like a spotlight on a crazy quilt. Some are tall and thin while others are wide and shorter. Each balloon is accompanied by a special crew with an amazing story. My kids loved them all!

Hot Air Balloon Glow in the Dark © Katrena

Many thanks to those awesome balloon crews who came back to provide the night-time balloon show. Fuel is not cheap and folks don't ride in the balloons as they are held down during the glow. If you guys could have seen the looks on my kids' faces, you would definitely know that those efforts were absolutely appreciated.

Unusual Autumn Family Activities © Katrena

When a balloon pilot takes off during daylight hours, he or she plans to follow the wind and enjoy the ride. With a night show, the pilots provide a beautiful show for all who wish to see. I asked my kids which they liked best – the evening balloon ascension or the night glow. The answer was unanimous: BOTH! Find out more about Statesville's Carolina BalloonFest at their official web site. Read about the daytime balloon show and find more of Katrena's articles at Travel NC With Kids.

2012 Carolina BalloonFest – See Hot Air Balloons in Statesville!

2012 Carolina BalloonFest in Statesville, NC © Katrena

October brings an explosion of color to the sky in Iredell County, North Carolina. Yes, the leaves display their amazing array of Fall colors. And one might see a beautiful bow arching through a raindrop's prism. But this colorful display is Statesville's Carolina BalloonFest.

Hot Air Balloon Festival in Iredell County, North Carolina © Katrena

The Carolina BalloonFest, known as the Balloon Rally years ago, has been delighting folks in Iredell County for 39 years. I remember growing up in Cleveland, North Carolina and being thrilled to see several balloons floating close enough to see from my home. Several crews said that must have been when they had the balloon festival in nearby Troutman. The event now beckons thousands of people to enjoy entertainment, games, food, and, of course, the hot air balloons.

Great Expectation Balloon Crew with Kathy Lazenby (seated) and pilot Jim Falls (2nd from left) © Katrena

Quite a few folks have made the event into an annual excursion. Kathy Lazenby says that she has been helping with balloons since the event started back in the 1970s. She first worked on a balloon crew for "Foxfire" when the Balloon Rally was in Love Valley. She says the event was only in Love Valley one year. For the last several years she has teamed up with Jim Falls and the "Great Expectations" crew, which is where I found them at the Statesville Regional airport for the 2012 Carolina BalloonFest.

Balloons at Statesville Regional Airport in October © Katrena

Delores Stewart, from King's Mountain, has been working with Jim Fall's balloon crew for twelve years. She must also especially like the event since she's been participating in Iredell County's balloon festival for 20 years. She also mentioned they have been to quite a few ballooning events in other areas, including the 2000 balloon festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the event coordinators called for 1000 balloons to grace the skies.

Character Balloons at Carolina BalloonFest © Katrena

Crowds get the chance to see the crews set up and take off, but only the riders and chasers get to see them set down, typically about three to five miles away. That distance will usually take about an hour to travel, according to Mr. Falls. His crew smiles as they talk about the big crowd a balloon landing draws. Because few people know much about hot air balloons, folks on the ground nearby often think the pilot is making a crash landing. One time they even set down at a fish camp!

Setting Up Hot Air Balloon © Katrena

Not all of the crew members have been attending for twenty or more years. One young crew member has only been around balloons for eleven years. Elise Colbrum took her first ride at the rather tender age of three months, but she assured me that she is very interested in crafts as well as balloons and even had some of her work stashed nearby. Claire Colbrun mentioned she had attended a similar balloon festival as a pilot and that Tony Colbrun was a sponser at that time. She gave him his first balloon ride at that time and they became a family as well as a team.

Beautiful & Big Balloons in Statesville NC © Katrena

My oldest daughter thought "Christel Delight" was a really cool balloon. Casey Clodfelter, from Troutmen, has been serving on a balloon crew for fifteen years. She says that Bubba Winston is the pilot and he used to fly the DARE banner. The balloon he now flies sports the message "You and Me Drug Free" on the side.

American Cancer Society Balloon at Statesville Balloon Festival © Katrena

Another balloon with a great message is Carolina Blue, sponsered by the American Cancer Society. That special balloon is piloted by Marsha Treacy from Statesville, North Carolina. Quite a few cheers went up for the American Cancer Society's balloon, local pilot, and passengers!

Patriotic Freedom Flyer Hot Air Balloon © Katrena

A great variety of balloons graced the Carolina blue sky on Saturday, October 20 at the Statesville Regional Airport. From "Great Balls of Fire" and the "Purple People Eater" to "Evening Sunrise" and "Freedom Flyer" and everything in between, balloons danced overhead as spectators admired the special once-a-year sight.

Hot Air Balloons in Statesville © Katrena

All of my daughters were quite impressed as the balloon crews spread their envelopes on the ground, turned on fans, and finally fired up as each balloon became airborne above its gondola. It was hard to decide where to look because amazing scenes delighted us in all directions as the colorful orbs ascended, and many riders and pilots waved as they headed on their journeys above the beautiful leaves. I have to agree with one of the volunteers as he said with a smile, "There isn't a bad seat in the house!"

Fun Things to do in Statesville and Iredell County © Katrena

Find prices, directions, history, information about flying on a balloon, and more at the Carolina BalloonFest official web site. See a cool time-lapse video of the 39th Annual BalloonFest in Statesville on this YouTube video set to music and Katrena's article about the Night Glow Show at the festival also. See more of Katrena's family-friendly articles at Travel NC With Kids.

Carolina BalloonFest in Statesville NC in October

Statesville Carolina BalloonFest © Katrena

A splash of bright colors mesmerizes children and adults as balloons take to the sky in Statesville Regional Airport for the annual BalloonFest in October. This event, started in 1972, beckons balloon enthusiasts, pilots, vendors, and families in and near the Piedmont area of North Carolina.

Balloon Rally in Iredell County NC (Now Called BalloonFest) © Katrena

Statesville hosts America's second oldest hot air balloon festival. The 2012 39th Statesville BalloonFest will be held on October 19 (3 p.m. to 8 p.m.), 20 (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.), and 21 (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Nick and Chase Donner, Don Cline, Sally Mazzocchi, Louise Egerton, and Marsha Treacy will be among some of the pilots at this year's Iredell County balloon rally event.

North Carolina Balloon Festival © Katrena

Parking is limited, and early arrival is recommended. Off site parking includes discount tickets and a free shuttle that will run every 15 minutes. Proceeds will help benefit Purple Heart Homes and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Statesville.

October Fun Family Activities in NC © Katrena

A variety of activities are offered at the balloon festival, including music, activities for the kids, and beer and wine tasting. Of course, the activity that draws the most attention is watching and anxiously awaiting the launch/landing of over 50 beautiful balloons near dawn and dusk!

Hot Air Balloon Rides in NC © Katrena

Those who dare to ride might check out opportunities for tethered rides or even go up with a pilot.
The view from the ground is a great photo opportunity. Seeing so many hot air balloons rise into the sky is quite a memorable experience.

Statesville BalloonFest in NC © Katrena

Visit the Carolina BalloonFest web site for ticket prices, a map, parking information, links for booking a balloon ride, balloon photos, a schedule of events, a memorial tribute to Ed Ristaino, and more.

Balloons at Statesville Airport © Katrena

See balloon pictures and stories about the 2012 Carolina BalloonFest. See Katrena's article about the Night Glow Show. Find more of Katrena's articles at Travel NC With Kids and Love 2 Travel With Kids.