Hot air balloons cheer Lincoln skies as weekend festival launches

[August 25, 2017]  Just over a half dozen balloons took flight Thursday night over Lincoln under beautiful blue skies. It was media night, an advance kick off to the 2017 Lincoln Balloon Festival.

The balloons floated up in the sky and glided peacefully over Lincoln for a short flight that drew the attention of many Lincoln residents.

All those in attendance at the Logan County Airport agreed the evening was perfect for flying. The wind conditions were just right and the clear skies allowed for some very nice photo opportunities.

Shortly after takeoff from the airport the balloons were spotted about 300 feet in the air passing over Lincoln Christian University and Campus View Drive. As the balloons flew west/southwest over the downtown area, cruising at just around six mph, they passed over Broadway and Pulaski Streets. The passengers in the balloons could even talk to the small crowds of people that were gathering down below.

From up above it was interesting to see just how many back yards were dotted with blue swimming pools. It was also fascinating to see all the green that Lincoln has surrounding its neighborhoods. One could hear dogs barking on the ground as well as see several local residents out for evening walks and family bike rides. Many down below looked up and waved at the passing hot air balloons. As for the passengers, the smooth ride was so peaceful it was actually very therapeutic.

Pilot Martin Philpott flew a balloon called Auspicious, a bright yellow handicap accessible balloon sponsored by Heritage Packaging. Austin Hopp of Lincoln flew with Philpott. Hopp has been flying with Jim Phelan of Lincoln for four years as a pilot in command. Hopp's knowledge of flying and his grasp on the geography of Lincoln was very helpful to the pilot, who was new to Lincoln.

As Auspicious approached Lincoln Community High School, Philpott choose to land. The landing was equally as impressive as the moment when the balloon first took flight. Taking off, the balloon had ascended into the sky rather quickly and without the slightest bump. Passengers were warned that the landing would be a little bumpy but in reality it was just one small bump on the ground, followed by another small bump and then a small scoot across the grass before the pilot pulled the balloon to a stop.

The stopping point for Auspicious was the soccer field of LCHS. In the distance one could see centerfield of the baseball field. A look over one shoulder showed the softball field and glancing over the other shoulder, the football field. LCHS and all of it’s beautiful athletic fields proved to be a perfect landing space.

For ten-year-old Zoey Luken, a student at Chester East-Lincoln, the ride was sweet. “I liked it,” said a grinning Luken, who had peered over the basket the entire flight, admiring Lincoln and all its beauty from afar.

Cathy Wilhite, President of the Chamber of Commerce, also rode in Auspicious. She noted how important it was to have two handicap and wheelchair accessible balloons available for tethered and paid balloon rides this year.

"Pat Harwell is coming this weekend and he is bringing a balloon that you can roll a wheelchair in and bolt it down and take a flight like that. The two of them have been hired for the weekend to do paid rides and to do our tethered rides. We wanted tethered rides to be accessible to a lot of different people. Not many people can climb over the side of the balloon, so these baskets open up so people can walk into them or wheel into them. Which I think is a fantastic opportunity. It also helps us with some of our veteran’s rides.” Harwell’s balloon is New Maverick and it is sponsored by Christian Village.

Wilhite is excited about the weekend’s beautiful weather outlook and agreed that Thursday evening was perfect for a flight. Wilhite is also pleased with the pride that the community has in this festival.

"Lincoln is a balloon-friendly town. Everybody loves the balloon festival,” she said following her journey in the sky.

If you would like to take a journey in the sky or simply see the magnificent sight of the balloons glowing, visit the Lincoln Airport this weekend. The balloons will be flying Friday evening, Saturday morning and Saturday evening. Both evenings will also feature the balloon glow.

[Teena Lowery, co-passenger on Auspicious]