Lighter than Air Fair

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 8:30 am

The 7th annual balloon fair at Iowa Western CC is this weekend, for those of you with a penchant for flight. Went last year for the first time, it was great. I highly recommend it, especially for those of you with smaller children - they'll love it.

IWCC Lighter than Air Balloon Fair

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:45 am

I will be there Friday night and possibly saturday to do some photography work. This is my first time at this event, i'm looking forward to it!

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:38 am

Looking forward to seeing some photos Bradley. I have some photos from last year, I'll post them tonight if I can find them.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:29 am

Hot-air ballooners know it's a breeze to grab attention

OWH wrote:Although a pilot may have a landing location in mind, it depends on where the wind takes the balloon. On Saturday, the pilots landed in cornfields, parking lots and on the side of the road.

The writer of this story was obviously not around to see the landings in people's front yards and back yards (very nearly including mine). It was pretty awesome watching these balloons landing Saturday morning all around us, although 2 nearly put a hole in neighbors' roofs and 1 nearly crashed as it tangled with the top of a dead cottonwood. I'll post some pics once I get them downloaded and resized.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:09 am

IWCC to Host 8th Annual "Lighter Than Air Balloon Fair"

This year's festival runs from Friday, August 25th to Sunday, August 27th at Iowa Western Community College. Be sure to put this on your calendar!

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:38 pm

I might head over there this year as well

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:09 pm

I'll be there almost all day Saturday. I'm going with a small group of semi-professional and amature photographers. I want to be there early in the morning to photograph the balloon rising (possibly chasing the balloons for awhile) and then later on in the evening for the balloon glow and fireworks.

Here is my gallery of images from last years balloon glow (where I ran into our Mr Huston):
http://www.pbase.com/fantasmic03/ballon_faire

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:10 pm

Oh, here is a link to the website:
http://www.iwcc.edu/foundation/balloon.asp

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:13 pm

Don't forget, tonight, tomorrow and Sunday! Looks like tonight, although overcast, will be some good weather for the balloon glow (maybe a little windy, but the balloon area is fairly well sheltered).

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:39 am

Looks like tonight, although overcast, will be some good weather for the balloon glow (maybe a little windy, but the balloon area is fairly well sheltered).

Not sheltered well enough....

Anyway, they still had a great turnout for the event, and I'm sure that most that went had a good time if they took in all there was to take in.

From yesterday's paper:
Wind doesn't hurt balloon fair attendance

Strong winds kept most of the hot air balloons on the ground during this weekend's Lighter Than Air Balloon Fair, but that didn't stop patrons from coming out.

Event coordinator Pam Beall said the number of visitors out Friday night and Saturday seemed to have the potential to challenge last year's record attendance of 14,500.

On Friday night around 20 of the expected 40 balloons participated in the Balloon Glow. While there were strong ground winds, Beall said, the major factor causing the noticeably empty balloon airfield was that many balloonists must travel from surrounding states and don't arrive in time to participate.

Jaworski was disappointed that they weren't able to send up more hot air balloons throughout Saturday, especially in the evening.

"It's such a nice night to fly, but we don't have the winds going in the right direction," he said. "But it's still going to be a nice sight for people to come out and see all the balloons inflated."

The fair is held annually to raise money for the college's scholarship fund. Two scholarships will be earmarked for aviation students.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:21 pm

A few photos from the Nonpareil, I hope to post some later as well...

Rob Skiba, bottom center, and his Valentino’s Pizza-sponsored team prepare for flight Saturday night, Aug. 26, at the 2006 Lighter Than Air Balloon Fair at Iowa Western Community College.

11-year-old Cole Skiba helps ready his father’s balloon during the 2006 Lighter Than Air Balloon Fair at Iowa Western Community College Saturday evening, Aug. 26.

The Pepsi balloon takes to the skies during the 2006 Lighter Than Air Ballon Fair at Iowa Western Community College Saturday evening, Aug. 26.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:34 pm

I guess I should be going on Friday... there weren't very many there Saturday evening, and most of them packed up early. We still had a good time though.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:48 am

Something of a revival of the IWCC balloon fair, Ditmars Orchard will be hosting a hot-air balloon festival this weekend.

HOT AIR BALLOON SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

6:00 p.m OPTIONAL FUN FLIGHT

7:30-8:15 p.m. BALLOON GLOW

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

7:00 a.m. COMPETITION FLIGHT

5:30 p.m. COMPETITION FLIGHT

7:30-8:15 p.m BALLOON GLOW

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

7:00 a.m. COMPETITION FLIGHT

Ditmars Orchard is located on 225th St just east of I-80 at Exit 8 (same exit as for IWCC). Turn left onto Hunt Ave, and follow it north to 225th St (about 1 mile), for those interested. They are scheduled to have 16 balloons this year. No admission fee, but charging $5 to park.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:01 am

I wish... Work Friday and Ped Bridge lighting Saturday.