2009 Coshocton Balloon Festival: Sunday Launch

The first weekend in June is always the Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival. It's held at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds which is just a short walk from our house. This year 24 balloons participated in the festival.We don't typically make it over to the festivities but the festivities, in a sense, nearly always make it over our house on Saturday or Sunday morning because of the predominant wind direction.

With the morning launches anywhere between 6 and 7 AM, we are usually awakened the the sounds of multiple high-power gas burners heating the air inside various balloons as they leave the fairgrounds on their way into the country side. Saturday morning's launch was canceled due to fog but Sunday morning about 6:30 the dogs were barking and gas burners were roaring and I hurried outside with my camera.

It's not uncommon to find several neighbors outside in their pajamas and robes with cups of coffee watching the balloons fly overhead. It's quite the cultural experience.

Here are some shots I captured from our back deck before leaving for worship team practice.

Balloons launching from the fairgrounds and headed toward our house. The picture is taken looking over our neighbor's house across the street.

Balloon

Balloon

Balloon

Balloon basket close up

Balloons past our house and headed out of town.

So, if you're ever looking for a fun weekend to come out and visit, keep the first weekend in June in mind! Maybe then we'll even go over to the festival to see the balloons before they come over to see us.