Balloonists let down if they can't go up

Fingers crossed for good weather

By DANIELLE FOWLER
Staff Writer

DANVILLE - Last year's hot air balloon race was canceled due to rain. For the ninth annual race this year, anticipation is as high as the balloons will hopefully soar.

``No one is more disappointed than the pilots when we can't fly,'' said Stuart Crawford of Crawford Hot Air Balloons Co. in LaGrange. His company offers rides any day of the year to groups of three or more people.

``I love my job,'' he said.

Crawford will give others the opportunity to fall in love with the airborne way of life: Rides will be offered during the race at $150 per passenger.

``A balloon ride is fun at any time,'' he said, ``but to be able to fly in a race with other balloons makes it a lot more fun.''

Crawford has entered two balloons in the race and could inflate more if enough spectators decide to take to the air. But ``the number of spots is finite,'' he said.

Most of the 26 pilots in this year's race are from Louisville, Frankfort or Lexington. Gordon Wirt, one of three participating pilots from Lexington, appreciates that the Danville race is so close to home.

``We always look forward to it,'' he said.

Wirt has been a balloonist for 14 years and has flown in each Danville race. He flies in six to 10 events a year and this one draws him back every time.

``Danville is a beautiful flying area. It's one of the nicest races in Kentucky,'' he said. ``It seems like they're improving it every year we're down there.''

He, too, will be let down if he can't go up.

``We're hoping the crummy spring weather breaks long enough for us to fly,'' he said.

Wirt appreciates the helping hands of his ground crew. The four- to six-member team helps inflate his three-passenger balloon, chases it during the flight, and packs it up when it's all said and done. ``It's a little bit of work and a lot of fun,'' he said.

Peoples Bank of Kentucky and Hometown Radio WHIR-WRNZ are sponsoring the race. Since there are no other local events competing for the balloonists' attention and time, odds are that this event will attract a record number of entrants.

Brian Beazly of the Louisville-based Balloon Odyssey coordinates the race and recruits the balloonists. He explained that the race has nothing to do with speed since balloons travel exactly as fast as the wind.

``All balloons move at the speed of the wind around them. It doesn't matter what's in them or what shape they are in as far as speed and direction,'' he said.

The hour-long race will be a hare and hound race with the lead balloon, the ``hare'' balloon, launching unannounced. This year's hare balloon belongs to the Peoples Bank of Kentucky. It is black with a white and rainbow-colored middle section.

When it is airborne, the ``hounds'' inflate and take off to follow when they choose. The hare balloon lands in a suitable spot and places a big X on the ground to serve as the target. The hounds fly over the target and drop a three-ounce bag of grass seed with six-foot nylon ribbons attached. These are made deliberately light so they can't be thrown far. The bags are judged according to how close to the X they land.

``It's accuracy only,'' Beazly said. ``It doesn't matter if you're first or last.''

This works better than the original idea of landing closest to the hare balloon, which left contenders bumping into each other.

Spectators are invited to bring a picnic and make an evening of the event. Airplane flight simulator rides and airplane rides are scheduled to be offered before the race. Ultra-light airplane pilots plan on putting on a show, too. Several of the brass bands will be playing.

Balloonists begin to arrive at 6 p.m. with lift off between 7 and 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Danville Boyle County Airport at 420 Airport Road in Junction City.

To get there: To reach the event site, take U.S. 127 (Hustonville road) south past the Wal-Mart SuperCenter. Turn left at the second road past the Wal-Mart stoplight. The route will be marked.

Airport Road turns left off this road just past Pack's Nursery. The entrance to the balloon race is just to the right of a gray metal building. Do not use the main airport entrance. It is reserved for the balloonists. Organizers suggest bringing lawn chairs.