29th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival

Fog kept balloons from flying this morning for the Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival, but the good news is they have another day to try.

The festival, which takes place at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds, is in it's 29th year. It's now run by the city's chamber of commerce, but that wasn't always the case.

"Back in the early 80s, Coshocton Lumber, one of their owners was very interested in ballooning," said Jim Nelson, Co-Chair of the festival. "They did a promotion for the lumber company, where they had a local balloonist come in and fly out of their lumber yard. It was so well received that balloonist tried to get their friends involved, that type of thing."

Nelson says more people attend every year, and people from all walks of life.

"Moms and dads are out here and then there are grandmas and grandpas are here," he said. "They bring the kids because that gives them a special time to get out. They play the kids games, they love to listen to the entertainment."

Nelson says this is the longest running consecutive hot air balloon festival in the state. If you want to check out the next launch, you'll have to get up bright and early. The balloons will take off around 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

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