Photo of the Day: Albuquerque Hot Air Balloons

Two months in and still going strong, our 2009 Dream Trip Contest has had more than 11,000 entries so far. For inspiration for your own entry, and a chance to win a $25,000 vacation to wherever you choose, read our take on a submission that caught our eye:

Dream Trip entrant Cpriaulx shot this colorful, buoyant image during a cross-country journey that included a stop at the celebrated Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, a road trip that ultimately turned Cpriaulx onto a new hobby.

"After this trip I purchased a pick-up truck so I could get into this branch of aviation," Cpriaulx writes in the Dream Trip entry "Up, Up, and Away". "A balloon ride should be on everyone's to-do list. Balloon folks are a special breed of people. Fun loving and full of life, and they want to share it all with you.

"The balloons come to Albequerque every October," Cpriaulx advises. "Make your plans now!"

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Howell's Balloonfest rises to expectations

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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Hot air balloons take flight at festival July 9 to 12

HILLSBOROUGH – Hillsborough residents may soon wake up to a low-pitched hiss passing over their homes as hot air balloons fly by during the Hillsborough Balloon Festival, Thursday, July 9, to Sunday, July 12.

The four-day event at Grimes Field includes hot air balloon rides, a carnival midway with rides and games, live entertainment, food, fireworks and a parade.

Though festivities begin Thursday night, the event goes into full swing on Saturday, with a full line-up of events, including balloon lift-offs; a pancake breakfast; a carnival midway; a roving juggler; four-wheeling; entertainment by the Fracestown Cloggers, Monadnock Mavericks line dancers and Angela West and Showdown; and a fireworks display.

Balloon lift-offs take place at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting. For those who don't want to fight the crowds at Grimes Field, balloons can generally be seen lifting off along Main Street, offering a great photo opportunity for passers-by.

Fireworks will burst into the air at 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 10. To avoid the crowds at Grimes Field, another viewing spot is the duck pond on Old Henniker Road. Of course, those viewing the fireworks in this location won't be able to see fireworks close the ground, but the location is away from all the smoke and commotion at the field.

Another full day of activities is scheduled for Sunday, with another pancake breakfast, balloon lift-offs, carnival midway, fireman's muster and a parade.

This year's parade theme is "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle."

One parade participant, North East T.A.I. Karate in Hillsborough, is creating a float out of previously used materials.

The parade begins at Hillsboro-Deering High School at noon and proceeds along School and Main streets to Grimes Field.

Prizes will also be awarded for entries in the float competition.

Admission to the festival is free, and a fee is charged for rides and games on the carnival midway. Parking at the festival is $5.

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Spirits, balloons soaring in Howell (with photo galleries & video)

Although Howell's Michigan Challenge Balloonfest has celebrated its 25th anniversary this weekend, for many who attended the ballooning competition and festival Saturday it was a first-time experience.

"I've always wanted to see it," said Martha Rowley of Laingsburg, a first-time Balloonfest attendee. "I can't wait."

Saturday evening, Rowley got her chance as dozens of colorful hot-air balloons lifted into the sky amid crowd cheers. Thousands of people gathered for the balloon launches, which began at about 7:30 p.m. on the grounds of Howell High School. Pilots said the warm, low-wind weather was "perfect" for flying. (photo gallery)

Balloons are schedule to launch again tonight to conclude this year's Balloonfest, an annual event organized by the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce.

Beyond balloons, the event offered a plethora of activities Saturday afternoon.

At the Balloonfest carnival, kids excitedly stood in line for thrill rides while others devoured "elephant ears" glossed in sugar. In the arts festival area, people perused vendor booths displaying paintings, pottery, photography and other pieces.

The Medieval village attracted significant crowds with its live sword fencing and Celtic music. Other vendors offered food, massages and crafts.

At a National City Bank booth, bank employees handed kids free balloons and let them play spin wheels for the chance to win discount coupons to downtown Howell shops.

"This year we thought, with the way the economy is, we needed to do something to bring business back into the community," said Vicki Hartman, vice president of the Howell branch of National City, which is the major sponsor of Balloonfest.

Meanwhile, there were plenty of lawn chairs and tents set up throughout the festival grounds.

Attendees, such as Linda Karrick of South Lyon, spent the afternoon relaxing under a canopy waiting for the balloon launches. She said this was the second year she attended the festival.

"I like the balloons, mostly," Karrick said. "It's a nice, relaxing day. Lots to see."

There was "lots to see" Friday, too.

While the festivals and carnival drew crowds, the main attraction was the 25th anniversary celebratory fireworks show sponsored by Medi-Lodge of Howell.

Michelle Tokan, director of Balloonfest, said the show was a hit.

"It was one of our most well-attended Friday nights," Tokan said. "It was a great evening."

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Seniors ascend above Aiken

More than 20 senior citizens recently went airborne over Aiken.

Residents at Cumberland Village, a senior living community, seized the opportunity to participate in hot air balloon rides Thursday afternoon. Hot air balloon pilot Randy Russell took residents up for a free thrill ride.

Two at a time, the brave seniors ascended into the skies onboard Russell's balloon. The balloon was tethered to the ground so drifting away wasn't a possibility, but the excitement from the seniors reached beyond the clouds.

Before the ride, Jerry Carnes, 75, said, "I have never been up in one before. Now is my chance. I am eager to get to it. I am not afraid; if it breaks and we float away somewhere, I don't care - they always come down. I can't believe it really is a basket."

During his ride, Carnes hung over the side of the basket waving to his friends on the ground with a smile that stretched from ear to ear.

"It was so much fun. I just wish we could go higher. I wouldn't mind floating in one across the meadows. I could feel the flame warming my hair; it's a good thing I left my oxygen here," he said.

Close friends Eleanor Cannon and Mildred Knight went up together. It was the first time for both and a long-awaited trip for Knight.

"I was supposed to go up in one in Oklahoma about 17 years ago, but it rained that day and it was never rescheduled. This is my first chance since then," Knight said.

While the balloon was being filled for takeoff, Cumberland Village residents gathered in the parking lot to take in the excitement. For many, it was the first time they had ever been so close to a hot-air balloon.

"I have never been up before, and I feel good about it. I have never been exposed to this before," Genie Harvey said.

"It's something I have never tried, and I thought I would give it a try," Phil Cozad said.

"I knew right from the start, I was going to do it. I am a go-getter," Helena Schilling said.

Everyone who went up in the hot air balloon came down with a smile.

"I enjoyed it, but I was a little frightened. I am glad I had my granddaughter with me. She protected me. I'd do it again," said Harvey, who went up with Brannon McComb.

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Kansas man got into hotair balloon business after buying 1 as an advertising gimmick

PARSONS, Kan. (AP) — Wil LaPointe thought it would be a good idea to mount a 15-foot cold-air balloon on the roof of his cell phone business. But when he decided to get a much bigger balloon, his desire soon changed away from wanting an advertising gimmick and toward learning to how to fly.

That was 20 years ago, and these days LaPointe is an accomplished balloonist who gives rides to hundreds of people each year.

He's also a fierce competitor who won the state championship in Oklahoma last year — and 16 of the 17 previous years, as well.

He says his balloon business is drawing people from all over the Midwest who want a chance to take to the skies, which means he's doing his part to stimulate the Parsons economy.

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Battle Creek Host Michigan’s Largest Air Show and Hot Air Balloon Event July 1-5, 2009

The 2009 Battle Creek Field of Flight of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival will be held at W.K. Kellogg Airport July 1-5, 2009.

The festival will feature hot air balloon flights morning and night, one of the top 10 air shows in the United States including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds jet team and fireworks on July 3.

The event begins Wednesday with a balloon launch and the first of five nights of entertainment plus an opening-night party on Michigan Avenue downtown Battle Creek.

Balloon flights are scheduled morning and evening the remaining four days. The festival grounds at the airport won't be open for morning flights, which may be held in other locations. Spectators can "chase" the balloons as they fly overhead. For more information visit: http://www.bcballoons.com

Ballooning is an incredible experience for both those on the ground and those in the gondola itself. Those who operate hot air balloons in Michigan love to share it with anyone daring enough to take flight. As an avid hot air balloon pilot since 1982 and fan of Michigan's natural wonders, Scott Lorenz has been fortunate to see the beauty of Michigan from a slightly above the treetops.

"Just about every year we fly directly over a great blue heron rookery located on an island in Kensington Park's Kent Lake near Milford. It's pretty incredible to see dozens of these giant birds with their six-foot wing spans hovering around their nests. We've peered down directly into their bushel basket sized nests with one or two eggs," says Lorenz, President of Westwind Balloon Company. http://westwindcos.com/balloon/

"I flew an Ornithologist from the University of Michigan a few years ago and he helped me identify dozens of birds by sight and sound. Now I recognize the sweet call of Sand Hill Cranes half a mile away and tell my passengers to keep an eye out for them. I am fortunate to meet some incredible people in my business and learn something from every flight" "In fact, I flew the Chief Meteorologist from Ann Arbor's Weather Underground. Considering hot air ballooning is 100% weather related I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions about the nuances of Michigan weather at sunrise and sunset. Lorenz has flown some notables too including Lila Lazarus from FOX-2 along with a passenger whose last wish was to fly in a balloon, which was all caught on tape by the FOX-2 helicopter in hot pursuit. Legendary Detroit guitarist Josh White even brought his guitar along for a concert in the air. "There's never a dull moment in this business"

What's the best time to go? Hot air balloons fly in Michigan May thru October. Lorenz says "springtime is nice, but summer's pretty cool too and you can't beat the fall colors in October!"

Most balloon rides last about one hour and Lorenz flies over the woods and streams of Kensington Park. He and several other pilot friends meet at Park 'n Ride area off Milford Road and I-96 (exit # 155) about 2 1/2 hours before sunset. From there he'll launch helium balloons, determine the wind direction, then take a short drive to one of nine launch sites in the area that give the best views and best landing sites downwind.

"Sometimes the landing can be like taking an elevator ride and others can be a little more exciting that's why great care is taken in making the 'go' or 'no-go' decision on each flight based upon the weather," says Lorenz"

What to wear? Lorenz suggests passengers wear tennis shoes and jeans. He says the air temp "upstairs" is within a couple degrees of ground temp so its not a factor. Cameras and video cameras are highly reccomended to preserve the once in a lifetime moments while flying over the countryside.

Flights cost $695 for a private ride which is two passengers and the pilot. All flights are pre-paid. Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover and PayPal are accepted. Gift certificates are available.

To really appreciate all that Michigan has to offer, call a balloonist and schedule a flight today, because if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you … the view is better from above.

To Schedule a Fight contact:

Westwind Balloon Company- Plymouth, Michigan, Flying over Kensington Park, Brighton, South Lyon and Milford. 734-667-2098 http://westwindcos.com/balloon Scott Lorenz, Pilot and Owner.

For Hot Air Balloon Rides in Michigan Contact:

Westwind Balloon Company- Plymouth, MI, Flying over Kensington Park, Brighton, South Lyon and Milford.

Scott Lorenz, Pilot and Owner- 734-667-2098 http://westwindcos.com/balloon

For Groups of 4 to 6 call Wicker Basket Balloon Center: 248-624-5137

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