 With an already high heat index, it was brave, hardy cooks who
endured the heat coming from hot grills. The cooking area was
somewhat cooled by a fan blowing constant mists, but it was still
sweltering work.
The serving line was long and hot too, but with everyone excited,
talking about the upcoming weekend, and with lots of Maple Ridge
employees on hand graciously serving, it moved fast.
Each year Maple Ridge Care Centre hosts the event that kicks off
Logan County's biggest visitor weekend of the year, the Lincoln Art
& Balloon Festival. And it's all free. Say what? Yes, burgers, hot
dogs, side dishes, drinks and dessert, as well as cotton candy, snow
cones and live music. And what a blast it was; there were happy
people everywhere.
If last night's kickoff is any predictor, this year's events will
be well-attended. Amy Curry from Maple Ridge said that it was a good
turnout, one they would call a success. Approximately 1,080 dinners
were served last night.
We thank them for this service for the community. They did it
well.
The first sneak preview of the balloons in flight was scheduled
to take place during this event. Unfortunately, winds were too high
Thursday evening to launch. A few balloons did set up a ground
display out at Wal-Mart for a short time.
Weather has the biggest effect on the balloon portion of the
weekend. While launches could be deterred by current weather
conditions or the threat of changing weather, balloon glows will
more often still be able to take place. Glows are scheduled on
Friday and Saturday evenings at the airport.
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This is the 34th annual Lincoln Art Fair. You will find a great
diversity of sophisticated art mediums to feast your eyes on at the
juried art fair. You'll probably want to buy a little something to
take home and enjoy until next year or do a little gift shopping.
The events have expanded over the years to become four days
filled with beautiful art, balloons, fun, food, neat things to buy
and adventures. There are too many activities to list here, but
between downtown and the airport you will find crafts, antiques,
flea market finds, the opportunity to taste test Illinois wines,
amazing buys on books in the library basement, carnival rides at the
airport and lots of fun activities downtown.
If you see a stranger, say, "Hello! Are you having a good time?"
You may learn they've come here from somewhere else and have a nice
story to go with it. Or you might discover that they live just down
the road and know bunches of people that you know.
Everyone is keeping an eye on weather conditions. Unfortunately
lots of moisture and high temperatures are creating unpredictable
conditions. Even if the balloons don't fly, there's still much to
see and do, eat and drink at the airport, throughout downtown parks
and streets, the library, Postville Courthouse, and around town. See
more Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival details at
http://www.lincolnillinois.com/balloonfest/.
Help someone, share a laugh, have patience and enjoy the weekend.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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