Balloons over 66

Saturday evening glow a beautiful sight to see

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[September 02, 2021]   After going up and coming back down at the late afternoon launch on Saturday evening, hot air balloons gathered at the Lincoln Park District for the night glow event.

When balloons glow they take on a whole new personality from when they are in the air in daylight. The sight to see was the large number of balloons glowing all at one time.

The park district was a good place for the glow, as it appeared there were at least a few thousand spectators who came out with blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the evening glow.

The weather was not unpleasant as night fell. The lack of sun cooled the air some, though it was still quite warm. A gentle breeze continued to cool the skin and kiss the balloons as pilots inflated.

All of the pilots were invited to attend the glow and participate. Many of them, but not all did come out and put on a show for the audience. As the evening progressed there was a lot of attention given to the pilots. Special glows were called for all local pilots, pilots within the state, and pilots who had traveled from outside the state for the event.

The crowds cheered loudly for each group as the balloons were asked to glow if they were from nearby, in the state or outside the state.

Balloons Over 66 organizer Seth Goodman spoke from his basket as they inflated the balloons, expressing appreciation for all the pilots who had made the trip to Lincoln making it a very special weekend.

At one time the announcer asked how many in the crowd would like to see the pilots return next year. The roar of the crowd was astounding and something there is no doubt the pilots were able to hear regardless of where they were at in the field.

The balloons performed at the request of the announcer with a variety of displays from flickers to waves to full glows.

As the evening went on, pilots expended all their fuel and one by one the balloons began to fall to the ground. As the official glowing opportunities were coming to an end, spectators were told they could go out on the field and for a closer look at the balloons still standing.

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Then it was time to call the evening to an end. Guests were asked to exit the field so balloons could come down safely and crews could get their equipment packed up.

As the ballooning portion of the weekend came to a close, there were still activities going on in the downtown area, including live music and plenty of food and drink opportunities.

During the organizing stages of this year’s event, Goodman had talked about how the weekend would go. He wanted everyone to be safe and kind and tolerant of each other during the arrival and departure at the park district. He said his only true concern was about the traffic in and out of the park district and the need for everyone to share the same road safely and with courtesy shown to the pilots trying to get in for the glow.

From the outside looking in, it appeared that the community did a great job of navigating in and out on Saturday evening. While there were a lot of vehicles that needed to leave and it did take a bit of time, it appeared that everyone was being courteous and patient.

While the balloons were done for the weekend on Saturday evening, Sunday would see one more large event that is now a key part of the Balloons Over 66. The Shady Car show at Memorial Park near the Elks Golf Club would feature 125 amazing automobiles on Sunday.

Lincoln Daily News attended that car show and it was amazing. Coverage from the car show will be featured in the Wednesday edition of Lincoln Daily News.


[Nila Smith]

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