All About Hot Air Balloon Festivals, Pictures & Fun Facts About Ballooning
I read about the upcoming Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival (September 30th through October 9th), and it reminded me of another hot air balloon festival I went to when I lived in Lubbock, Texas (during grad school).
What made this one especially cool was the fact that the balloons were floating over canyons filled with water:
Unfortunately, I cannot recall exactly where this particular hot air balloon festival took place.
But my friend Suzie (who was also at Texas Tech University the same time I was) recalls a similar experience when she and a friend went to a hot air balloon event that was called "Balloon Chase" in Lubbock.
If anyone can shed light on the particulars of this Lubbock area hot air balloon festival from which the following photos were taken, please do share...
---> Here's the most comprehensive listing of Hot Air Balloon festivals across the U.S. I could find, but none of them seems like the one photographed above.
A Kaleidascope Of Colors... Up High And Down Low
All this talk about hot air balloons makes me wonder if a ride up in a hot air balloon wouldn't be a great way to see the colors of Fall?!
(... I guess it's not so crazy after all. Here's an article about viewing the Fall Foliage from a hot air balloon, a train, or an ATV!)
Just as fun times can be had can renting a Jeep or renting a pontoon boat, I think it's high time (ha!) we consider renting a hot air balloon for a couple hours. And during the Fall seems like you'd get the most bang for your buck... after all, it is kinda pricey.
---> Here's a listing of places throughout the U.S. where you can go on hot air balloon rides.
---> Who knew that you could fly anywhere in the USA for $199 per person with the U.S. Hot Air Balloon Team affiliates?!
More About The Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival
The launch field is a 72-acre field called "Balloon Fiesta Park" where spectators can interact with pilots and their crews as they inflate and launch their balloons.
Fun Stuff About Hot Air Balloons
How to estimate how far away a balloon is
--->How To Photograph Hot Air Balloons
Crafty Tips For Making Your Own Homemade Hot Air Balloon
How to make your own tissue paper hot air balloons:
- Timothy Storey's instructions for 4-6 graders.
- Step-by-step instructions with pictures
- Instructions from PBS Kids for ages 5 to 15
- Step-by-step instructions with pictures
How to make your own plastic canvas hot air balloons:
How to make solar-powered hot air balloons:
Or, if you're not into hot air balloon crafts and would rather buy one ready-made... check out these model hot air balloons that you can fly like kites!
What I Learned Today...
Balloons usually fly within two or three hours of sunrise, when the winds are calmest and conditions most stable. Here's more about how hot air balloons work.
Hello, I am the Media Coordinator for the Wolfforth/South Plains Balloon Roundup held in Wolfforth, Texas near Lubbock every year in September. I was searching for something else and came upon your message about the hot air ballooning in Lubbock, Texas. Our event is now held in Wolfforth rather than at Buffalo Springs Lake
each year where we attract 30 balloons from around the area. Check out our website at www.swrbc.com or send me an e-mail for more information. This year, our event is Sept. 8-9, 2007.
i think the fun time guide was great. i would like to try it one day
The photos you are inquiring about were taken at Buffalo Springs Lake just east of Lubbock.