Wild West Balloon Fest begins with ‘glow’ Friday

The 18th annual Wild West Balloon Festival will be Friday-Sunday, Aug. 2-4, at Mentock Park.

The festival begins Friday evening with a “balloon glow,” which organizer and pilot Jack Way describes as spectacular.

“The balloons are anchored to the ground, and the burners make the envelopes glow like a giant light bulb,” Way said. “It’s great event for amateur and professional photographers.”

The balloons take off Saturday at sunrise about 6 a.m. The wind is most calm early, making it the safest time to fly, Way said. Weather permitting, the morning flights will be used for two competitions.

The “Hound and Hare” race involves a lead balloonist, the hare, dropping a target with other balloonists, the hounds, following and dropping a bean bag as close as possible to the target. The closest hound wins the competition.

The “Pole Grab” is the most challenging competition. Balloonists try to grab the banner atop a 35-foot pole placed downwind from the launch site.

The rally is sponsored by area businesses, and Cody people serve as host families. Returning pilots often carry on relationships with a host and stay with the same family every year.

“We couldn’t do this without our home-stays and sponsors,” Way added.

The festival began in 1996 – Cody’s centennial and Buffalo Bill’s 150th birthday – when the city decided to dedicate each month to a different event.

As for the weekend’s festivities, Way said it’s much like the rally’s relaxed feel.

“Sometimes we end up on the other side of the river,” Way said. “We’ll go wherever the wind takes us.”

Balloons launch at sunrise Saturday and Sunday mornings, weather permitting. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early, if they would like be on a balloon’s chase crew.

via Cody Enterprise