Balloon Stampede

When Michelle was in 6th grade, she did a science fair project on hot air balloons. During this project she discovered a hot air balloon show that took place in Walla Walla, just a short drive from her hometown. Her dad told her that they would go see it; however, something came up and they couldn't go that year. The next year came and again they couldn't go. Year after year the weekend of the balloon stampede interfered with some activity on the Fitts family's calendar. Someday, Michelle determined, she would go to the balloon stampede in Walla Walla.

This past weekend that dream finally came true. Michelle and Benjamin took a trip to Walla Walla for the 38th Annual Balloon Stampede. Jon did not go as he was going to be attending a shooting event sponsored by the Men of Valor (men's ministry team from our church). However, Michelle's parents were going to the balloon stampede.

 

After a late night, Michelle, Ben, David, and Nancy woke up early on Saturday to watch the balloons take off. They were scheduled for a 6:30 launch, but when we arrived at 6:25 there were already some up in the air. But, it was still fun to watch the balloons inflate and take off. There were over 35 that took off on Saturday morning.

  

 

After the lift off we had breakfast and went to the car show at the fairgrounds. There were over 100 cars there, mostly classic cars. We oohed and ahhed over them and Benjamin told his papa (via his mom) which cars he would like to have for his birthday. After the car show we relaxed in the shade and watched some balloons provide tethered rides for a small fee. This consisted of balloons being tied to 3 anchor cars and giving people rides about 15 feet in the air for about $25. After that we headed to lunch and then back to the RV park to rest before the night glow.

 

The night glow was a pretty fun event. There were about a dozen balloons lined up in the fairgrounds and when the announcer would count down the pilots would pull the cord for their propane flames and the balloons would light up. They couldn't hold it very long because the balloons would start to rise, but it was cool to see them light up.

 

Sunday arrived with another early morning to go watch the launch of the balloons. This time we got there much earlier and got to see a lot more of the prep work for each balloon. This day only 28 balloons launched. After breakfast we all headed home.

All in all the event was a fun one! The weather was sunny and  hot and the activities were fun! It only took 14 years, but in the end it was so worth it.