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 Balloons: It all depends on the weather
On Friday evening, Saturday morning and Saturday evening the balloon
lift off will take place at five different locations in Lincoln. Of
course, weather can be an issue for the pilots and what is hard to
understand for those of us who do not fly is that winds can be calm
on the ground and quite turbulent at higher elevations. Therefore,
all flights are dependent upon the weather.
Pilots will meet prior to going to their lift off locations. Weather
conditions will be discussed and decisions will be made about if it
is safe to take the massive hot air balloons to the skies. Pilots
will make the decisions based on current conditions and potential
threatening weather, and how they feel about their flight skills if
wind speeds.
Some may choose to lift off, and some may choose to go to their
location and inflate for a bit, then bring their balloon down and
hope for flying weather at the next flight time.
It’s all FREE
Lincoln Pilot and resident Seth Goodman has been talking to people
about some of the scams that have been attached to the balloon
event. Last year, Goodman said there were unscrupulous people on
social media who were trying to sell tickets to the Balloons Over
66.
BEWARE – Balloons Over 66 is a FREE event. People who are
trying to take money for tickets are hoping that you are uninformed
and will fall for their scheme.
Over the weekend, every flight is free to watch. The balloon glow on
Saturday night at the Lincoln Park District is free to watch.
In addition, downtown events including Dock Dogs in the afternoon
and the evening Classic Car Show on Saturday night are FREE. It is
FREE to visit the art fair and the live music on the square, the
backyard barbecue and attend the Oasis Vendor Market.
Here’s what you may wish to open your pocket book for – food and
drink, items offered for sale at the Art Fair, Oasis Market or at
any of our great downtown retailers.
There was earlier an offering for hot air balloon rides that would
have cost money, but this week Goodman said he thought all those
spots are filled. Saturday night traffic
at the Lincoln Park District
The Saturday night glow is going to be different this year and very
special. For the first time all 32 balloons will be able to glow in
one place at one time. This should be a beautiful sight to behold on
the gently rolling grassy area at the Lincoln Park District.
Goodman said there is really only one concern about this new
location – traffic.
Because the park district is accessible primarily via Wyatt Avenue
and Primm Road on the outskirts of Lincoln, both spectators and
pilots will be driving the same road to get to the launch site.
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Coming in from Wyatt Avenue, the Pilots will be
taking the first driveway into the park district (closest to the
high school). They will then drive around the back side of the
recreation center, around the baseball fields, and into the green
space.
Spectators coming in from Wyatt Avenue will move on to the second
driveway to park behind the recreation center on the south side or
the third driveway to park in that parking lot.
Goodman said that because pilots and spectators are going to be
coming in on the same road, he anticipates congestion on Wyatt and
Primm.
He asks that everyone be safe, drive with caution and, if you look
in your rear view and see a balloon truck weaving through the
traffic, please do what you can to safely give them the right of
way.
Goodman said this is a good opportunity for the people of Lincoln
and Logan County to show our love and respect for the balloonists by
being polite and cooperative as we all navigate the same space.
Bringing it all back together
This week at the Lincoln City Council meeting, Alderman Kevin
Bateman commented that organizers are excited about bringing the
many activities of the past balloon festivals back together again.
The group is off to a great start, with the barbecue, a car show,
dock dogs, and the art show all taking place in the heart of the
city.
The Classic Cars will be held on the Square on Saturday evening.
Also, Railsplitter Antique Car Club is hosting the Shady Car Show
that will be held at Memorial Park on Sunday.
The Lincoln Arts Institute is working to bring art back to the event
and for this first year will be featuring 25 artists with artwork
for sale as well as other artistic vendors and activities throughout
the weekend.
Dock Dogs is a returning favorite and one that brings in people from
outside our area for the competitions. In the past, this event has
been well received by the community.
This year there is no Kansas City Barbecue sanctioned competition,
but the Backyard Barbecue will be on the Square on Saturday. Many of
these competitors will be local folks who just love to smoke meat
and compete to see who does the best job of it.
So, yes, the best is all coming back together and many are happy
about it.
The hope for the weekend is that everyone who attends will have a
safe, fun, happy weekend in Lincoln.
Check the ‘Local’ section of Lincoln Daily News midway down for
times and locations listed in the Balloons Over 66 information
station.
[Nila Smith] |
