Jubilee brings balloonists, community together

It’s the beauty, color, and imagination of hot air balloons that draws mid-Michigan residents to the Jackson Hot Air Jubilee every year.

The weekend airshow from July 17 through 19 brought more than 40 balloon pilots together at the Jackson County Airport in Michigan to share their flying experiences with one another and with the community.

“It’s a surreal experience,” said Randy Coller, a balloon pilot and long-time participant in the Jackson Hot Air Jubilee. “It's more of a ‘free’ sport in the sense that it is unpredictable…spontaneous and serendipitous. I like that. It teaches patience too.”

Corporate hot air balloon pilot Kevin Knapp describes ballooning as “peaceful and serene.” Knapp travels the country attending airshows to promote the Mayflower Transit balloon.

“Once I discovered ballooning and learned for myself how fun it is, how magical it is, how peaceful it is, how quiet it is, that's when I discovered my passion for flying balloons," said Knapp of St. Louis, Missouri.

“Ballooning is just another form of aviation,” said Chet Dziak, AOPA Airport Support Netwrok volunteer for more than 10 years. “Events like these are important to show people the joy of flying up close and personal.” As a pilot for 20 years, Dziak knows the viability of the airport is important and works hard to keep the community involved.

Although inclement weather conditions kept the hot air balloons grounded for a majority of the time, the Jackson Hot Air Jubilee had plenty of activities planned including an arts and crafts show, a stunt kite demonstration, radio controlled airplanes, static aircraft displays, and a presentation by the Flying Aces Pro Frisbee Team.

Families gathered on the lawn along the runway to watch the Scream ‘N Rebels. Lots of “oohs” and “ahhs” were heard while WWII vintage aircraft, like the T-6 Texan, flew above paying tribute to veterans from wars of the past and those flying for our freedom today.

In these economic times, some airports have not been able to host their annual airshow because of a lack of funding. Jackson Hot Air Jubilee Treasurer Andy Walz was concerned the event might have to be put on hold, as it was last year, but the team was able to pull it together for their 26th year.

“We had to downsize a bit and had lower numbers of people because of the weather,” said Walz. “But overall it was a really nice event.”

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Bad weather deflates revenues, instigates confusion at Jackson Hot Air Jubilee

Organizers of this year's Jackson Hot Air Jubilee say inclement weather conditions made for one of the roughest weekends in the event's history.

Although board members budgeted for their lowest revenues from ticket sales in years — $75,000 — jubilee treasurer Andy Walz said after Sunday's launch that he expected totals closer to $50,000.

"It's the worst weekend we've ever had," Walz said.

Inclement weather forced organizers to cancel the jubilee's Friday evening launch, as well as morning and evening flights on Saturday.

The cancellations resulted in some confusion when pilots finally ascended Sunday.

There was a shortage of crew members around to offer pilots a helping hand, and a large group of sponsors sought rides, but there was not enough balloon space to accommodate them all.

"Everything they get, right there on the ticket, says rides are not guaranteed," said board member Jeff Spry, explaining the risk of bad weather. "I think for some (crew members), it's gotten old; it's like, 'I keep showing up and nothing happens.' "

Board members decided in advance not to charge spectators for Sunday morning admission because the event ended right after the balloons took off. They didn't anticipate that would be the only flight.

Out along the runways Sunday morning, claps and cheers sounded as pilots ascended into the sky.

Roger Dennis, who came to Jackson on Friday night from Montpelier, Ind., stood watching the display with a camera in hand.

Dennis said he remained in town through the weekend to support the jubilee, as he does with many other flight events around the Midwest.

"Hot air balloon shows — if you see one or two (flights) in a weekend, you're lucky," he said. "You just gotta learn to go with the flow."

Dennis said he's been coming to Jackson's event for years. Many of the ballooning events in Indiana and Ohio were canceled this summer due to struggles with ticket sales and other funding sources, he said.

Dennis said he sees value in keeping the tradition alive.

"There's so many good people in this country; they're just discouraged right now," he said, positioning his camera toward the sky. "You just don't see a lot of sad people out here. That's what's good."

Brooklyn resident Renee Merchant has been coming to the jubilee for more than 25 years with her husband, Dick. The two have participated as chase crew members in the past but took a break this summer.

Merchant stood watching the balloons, her jacket dotted with several jubilee pins she purchased over the weekend.

She recalled flying with pilots in previous years and watching families out walking or going to get their morning paper.

"You drift quietly when you are not burning (the lamp), and people wave at you," she said. "You sneak up on them."

Walz said board members now can step back and re-evaluate what they did right.

Though many community members were concerned the festival was getting too large, he said the added attractions — such as an exotic animals display, laser tag, and a pyrotechnics airshow — are what kept people around when balloons couldn't launch.

Although bad weather was detrimental, Walz said, canceling the Friday night glow and not giving out as many pilot prizes due to canceled competitions will save money.

Spry said the advertising provided for sponsors went well. Some sponsors were so happy with the community exposure they got that they already talked of committing again next year, he said.

Jubilee organizers aren't ready to give up hope.

"It will be interesting when we put it all together to see where we all stand," Walz said. "I think we are all optimistic; the biggest problem of course will be paying our bills."

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