Hot air balloons line up Saturday evening at Amend Park in Billings before dusk in preparation for the glow after dark event. This year’s event attendance was the biggest balloonfest turnout since 1998. More images and drone images in this week’s edition of Yellowstone County News. (Courtesy photo)
Where balloons glow and people fly, well with the help of the balloons and their great pilots.
There were 11 balloons this weekend flying over Amend Park and the city of Billings. The Festival of Balloons had one of the biggest turnouts since 1998. There was plenty of activities to do for everyone who attended with over eight food trucks to choose from and many activities for the family and kids alike. A pancake breakfast was the way that the balloon festival began this year. It was followed with visiting the pilots of the balloons and going for rides with them. The kids got the chance to get their faces painted or go on the bucket lift from NorthWestern. Sunday night’s grand finale was when all the balloons lit up the Billings night sky. Many people went home with smiles on their faces and an experience of a life time in their memories.
Who do we have to thank for it? The members of the Big Sky International Balloon Rendezvous, who have been running it for five years, had some longs days and short nights to made this year the best one yet. Pilots’ names are Virginia Rieger going by Ginny Balloon Hot ‘n Bothered from Sheridan, WY; Graham Luckett from Fort Collins, CO, flying Tally Ho 2; G & L Graff from Albuquerque, NM, flying Lofty; Jennifer Beard from Milliken, CO, flying Phoenix Rising; Chris Jones from Billings, MT, flying Sapphire Sunrise; Justin Elkins from Helena, MT, flying Dust in the Wind; Mike Shrum from Box Elder, SD, flying Storm’s End; Andy Samuelson from Riverton, WY, flew Cloud Kisser IV; Karel and Maria Peterson from Hailey, ID, flew Aerography; John Folsom from Omaha, NE, flying Nathan Detroit; and Casey Heupel from West Glacier, MT, flew Back to the Future. The food trucks were Summer Snow, Crepe Diem, Rollin Rito’s Montana Melt, Oriental Express, Optimist Club (popcorn, cotton candy, ice-cream treats), Grindhouse Coffee and the Mac Shack. The band that got to play this event was Not Your Boyfriend’s Band.
Drone image captures hot air balloon eclipse with the sun as hot air balloons float in the smoky skies over Billings Saturday morning at this years 2021 Balloonfest. (Drone image by Jonathan McNiven)
Last of the hot air balloons launching while the rest of the hot air balloons float Eastward from Amend Park Saturday Morning. (Drone Image by Jonathan McNiven)
