Balloon fiesta

 I feel like a real Barnevelder now.  I've experienced the annual "Balloon Fiesta".  This is four days where they launch a LOT of hot air balloons from the park each evening.  Here is what it looks like from around the neighbourhood:

And on Saturday, we went to the fiesta (or festival).  Martin wasn't thrilled about going, but I wanted to go, just to experience it, at least once.  We sat in the bleachers, and watched hot air balloons inflate, and take-off, while listening to an announcer give a play-by-play on the status of the balloons.  Ha!

If you look closely, you might see something a little unusual here:

Yes, these are people jumping out of the baskets!

Parachuting down, with orange smoke coming from their ankles...

And a small, hand-held balloon that we could touch... this is the backside of a bee.

I now understand why Martin wasn't thrilled about going, but I'm glad I got to go!  AND the best part was after dusk... the "lazer show".  They had 7 big balloons, and 6 or 7 small balloons set up, and "anchored" (with human weight, I believe) to the ground, as well as lazers set up around the park.  Anyone who knows how much I love lights may understand how much I enjoyed this part!  It was such a creative display!  I *think* the lights were supposed to be choreographed with the music, but I guess it's difficult when the sources are massive engines that are run by people who can't communicate with each other, and likely don't practise together.

That's a "woody woodpecker" hot air balloon in the middle... he came from Brazil to be part of this fiesta!

This certainly doesn't capture the experience, but it may give you a taste.  So cool!  I later discovered that they have done the lazer show for 29 years, and they have used the same music... for 29 years.  I really don't feel the need to go back again anytime soon, but I'm glad I got to exierience it :)