Balloons fill Provo skyline

This past week, the Provo City skyline looked a bit unusual with Tony the Tiger, Smokey the Bear and a giant pink pig flying over the tree tops as part of America’s Freedom Festival.


These character-inspired designs joined more than 20 other colorful hot air balloons as friends and families were brought together for the 25th year of Balloon Fest at Bulldog Field, where the balloons prepare for flight in a party-like atmosphere.


“When they are blowing the balloons up it is really an incredible experience,” said Robert Spencer, a production editor for BYU Studies. “We come almost every year.”


Spencer, like many others attending the Balloon Fest, enjoyed the early morning activities alongside family members.


For Doug Cannon, a hot air balloon pilot flying in this year’s event, ballooning provides him and his family with a range of experiences.


“Ballooning is a very relaxing activity, you are floating with the wind, you have to learn how to go with the flow,” Cannon said. “It’s also a very fun activity because you have moments of adrenaline sprinkled in, you’re coming in for a landing and just that few seconds from when you’re committed to land to when you’re actually on the ground, it gives you an adrenaline rush.”


Beverly Cannon, Cannon’s wife, has shared in these relaxing moments and adrenaline-filled rushes ever since the two first started dating.


“My wife and I, our first date was a hot air balloon flight,” Cannon said.


The rest is now history as Cannon and his family prepared a rainbow-striped balloon for the fun and games at this year’s Balloon Fest.


To help make Cannon’s flight as safe as possible, Beverly headed up the chase crew, whose job it is to follow the balloon and help ensure a safe landing and take down.

“Doug is a great pilot so no worries,” said Beverly, as she helped keep watch over her children, including 10-year-old Amy, who has aspirations to fly a balloon of her own someday. “My daughter said she enjoys it more than her birthdays.”


Amy is not alone with her love and excitement. Melanie Linton, a junior studying history, from Houston, agreed.


“I wish Houston had something as awesome as this,” Linton said. “Even with two hours of sleep I would recommend it to anyone.”

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