Spirits were as high the hot air balloons following Friday evening's successful launch at the 25th Michigan Challenge Balloonfest in Howell. The event ran through Sunday night.
From the midway and the food court to the launch field, visitors smiled and kept beat to the music while spending time with family and friends at the Howell High School, home of the annual balloon extravaganza.
"It's nice to see that people are still coming out in this tough economic time," said Amy Trump of Genoa Township. She attended Balloonfest with her husband, Mark, and their 7-year-old daughter, Sophie.
Their family's ritual of attending Balloonfest began when Amy was pregnant with Sophie. "The main reason (we came) was for the balloons," she said admitting they've since come to love the carnival rides and other activities just as much, including the annual Sophie caricatures, made by one of the event's featured artists.
"Balloonfest is a nice family event where you run into friends from school and your neighbors," said Amy Trump.
"And it's close to home so you don't have to drive to the other side of the state to see the balloons," Mark Trump added.
Dexter Township residents Kevin and Michelle Radcliffe began bringing their sons, Jack, now 3, and Blake, 14 months, to Balloonfest in 2008. Like most event-goers, they too are drawn by the hot air balloons. Aside from enjoying their beauty, each launch evokes memories of a balloon ride the couple took 16 years ago.
"Our favorite balloon to watch is The Phoenix because we had won a free ride in (pilot) Jody (Leatherberry's) old balloon," said Michelle Radcliffe. "It was great flying in the hot air balloon ... quiet, majestic and since it was fall, we got to see beautiful colors going over a lake."
They do not believe they'll have another chance to ride in a balloon, but the couple is already planning next year's return to Balloonfest, this time with friends.
Carnival rides
Rob and Jennifer Koch, of Brighton Township, visited Balloonfest for the first time Friday night with their sons Nollan, 5, and Nathan, 4.
The family had a great time, according to Jennifer Koch, especially with the carnival games and bumper cars.
She said, "Nollan won a Spiderman squirt gun, some teeth and a dolphin" while Nathan enjoyed the family's friendly bumper car competition.
Nathan paired with mom, while Nollan and dad were in another car. Though there were at least eight other cars to bump, drivers in both Koch cars would regularly drive around others to bump into family.
In another part of the carnival, Linda and Jim Marsh of Milford watched their 3-year-old granddaughter, Mia, on The Family Swing. "Look at her, she loves it," said Linda Marsh.
The shy, little blonde smiled 'til the ride's end before running to her grandfather's waiting arms. By the kick of her legs the Marshes knew she was ready for the next ride. "We've (already) been out here an hour," Linda Marsh laughed.
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