A brisk breeze brought displays of special shapes balloons to an early end Friday morning in Longview and Kilgore, but pilots said they enjoyed interacting with the community.<\/p>\n
The 10 special shapes balloons were inflated and anchored in spots around the two cities about 6:45 a.m., and the plan had been for them to stay up until about 9:30 a.m. However, most were down by 9 a.m., as winds made it difficult to keep them steady.<\/p>\n
Chris Jones, the pilot of the Old Lady in the Shoe balloon, sponsored by Tomberlain Insurance, said that although special shapes balloons are more work, they\u2019re worth it. Jones also has three regular hot air balloons.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids when they come up to my balloon,\u201d Jones said. \u201cIt just warms my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones has one child of his own, a 21-month-old son, but he said the toddler stayed home in Amarillo rather than making the trip to Longview.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my first time to attend the Great Texas Balloon Race, and it\u2019s awesome,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe organizers here are great about supplying us with extra crew members and otherwise helping us out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones has been working with a crew of about 20 people this week \u2014 five are people he brought with him, and the others are local volunteers. He began crewing for his father in 1979 and has been a licensed balloon pilot since 2005.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main difference between special shapes balloons and regular balloons is the weight and the number of people required to get them up,\u201d he said. \u201cA regular balloon weighs between 200 and 300 pounds, while this (special shape balloon) is about 900 pounds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bill Woodhead of Oregon is the pilot of Arky, and he said the Noah\u2019s Ark-themed balloon draws attention to ballooning and to God\u2019s promises.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were hundreds of people, mostly children, out here today, and it was wonderful to see how excited they were,\u201d Woodhead said.<\/p>\n
Arky has been at the Great Texas Balloon Race for the past three years.<\/p>\n
Weather permitting, the Special Shapes Spectacular will begin about 8:15 tonight at the Great Texas Balloon Race at East Texas Regional Airport.<\/p>\n
The special shapes inflate about half an hour before the balloon glow begins, giving race visitors ample time to see each one.<\/p>\n
Other special shapes here this year are: Betty Jean Butterfly, Coco the Clown, Joey Bee, Lilly Bee, SpyderPig, World\u2019s Biggest Gumball Machine, Ham-let and Miss Daisy.<\/p>\n