Balloon race proves breathtaking from the air and the ground

By Annabel Girard
Staff Writer

In 1996, 33 balloons took to the air in the Hot Air Balloon Race. This year, the organizers hope to set a new record with 35 balloons.

The Friday evening event, sponsored this year by Peoples Bank of Kentucky and Hometown Radio, gives a ``lift'' to the festival. Gates open at 5 p.m. Lift off is about 7 p.m., depending on weather conditions. Rain or high winds can delay or postpone the race.

Those who arrive early will not be bored. Food will be for sale. Several brass bands will be playing. Model airplanes and ultra-lights will be putting on a mini-air show.

Rick Schobel of Hometown Radio encourages spectators to bring a picnic supper and make an evening of the event.

Spectators can wander in the take-off area and talk with balloonists and passengers. The balloonists enjoy talking about their balloons and discussing the fine art of flying.

The race begins when the ``hare'' balloon lifts off. Brian Beazley, whose Balloon Odyssey recruits the balloonists, always acts as the hare. The ``hounds,'' the other balloonists, must follow his lead. When Beazley finds a suitable site, he lands and marks a big X on the ground. The winner of the race is the balloonist who tosses a bag of grass seed closest to the X.

Those who have had a chance to ride in the race find it enchanting. One participant described the experience as ``breathtaking. It's so still and calm.''

The event is also breathtaking for those who are earthbound. The balloons look rather lackluster when spread flat on the ground waiting for inflation to start.

As the propane heaters begin to heat the air inside the massive balloons, they slowly come to life, taking shape as they rise from the ground. Soon the flat field looks as if it is filled with giant, multicolored blossoms that bob and weave, anxious to be airborne.

Without any signal, the hare balloon lifts off and others soon follow, quietly floating away from the solid ground into the magical space of air currents.

The skill of flying a balloon lies in the ability to pick up the best wind current, headed in the direction of the hare balloon.

Schobel expects a record number of balloons for this year's race because there are no competing events in this area.

To get there: To reach the event site, take U.S. 127 (Hustonville Road) south past 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, since this is reserved for the balloonists.)

Organizers suggest bringing lawn chairs.