The 2009 Kentucky Derby Festival Balloon Glow was a stunning success. We were among the thousands of people who gathered at the fairgrounds Friday evening to watch the Hot Air balloon teams light up the night sky. The high winds that had threatened to prevent people from going on to the fields died down around nightfall. We were able to walk around and see the balloons up close.
We arrived early and staked out prime viewing territory against the fence while sampling some of the food. My wife and I are suckers for funnel cakes, so we definitely had to indulge. Fortunately, there was an on-site mortgage broker accepting loan applications. I should have dinner and that funnel cake paid off in just under 5 years.
As daylight turned to dusk, the balloon teams began unpacking and unrolling their vessels. The process of inflating the balloons was complicated by the winds, but almost all of the crews were able to persevere. Both the crowd and the level of anticipation seemed to increase exponentially over a 30-minute period.
Around 9:00 the last of the ballons was fully inflated and the crowd was rewarded for their patience. With a warning to extinguish all cigarettes we were free to enter the field. We wandered around as the kids stared in amazement at each of the nylon airships.
We left around 10, but many people were still arriving. The event continued long into the evening while Q103.1 provided music and commentary.
All-in-all, this is a great family event and I recommend checking it out in the future. US Bank sponsored the event and other than the cost to park, entrance was free with a Pegasus Pin.
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Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed REALTOR with RE/MAX Alliance in Louisville. If you need a Louisville Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.
I specialize in the following areas of the Metro Louisville Area: Prospect, Middletown, Jeffersontown (J-Town), Fern Creek, Okolona, Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Hillview, and Brooks. Click the following links to learn more about Louisville and Bullitt County Real Estate or to Search for Louisville Homes
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Looks like this would have been a lot of fun to check out Erik.
That looks like a lot of fun Erik. I like how they are lit up for the night.
JL, John - I haven't seen balloons lit up like this before, so I thought it was really cool. Our kids also had a good time. I missed this part, but one of the balloons broke free and flew across the interstate before the pilot regained control.
I've been to a couple of those out there. They are really neat, and sometimes you can volunteer with one of the crews.
Jim - That would be a really cool experience. You tweaked my interest enough that I might look into it closer.
That looks like a lot of fun, and I can see that you really are a sucker for funnel cake.