2023 Balloon Classic takes flight: Food, fireworks, music and, of course, hot air balloons
JACKSON TWP. – Balloon pilots, passengers and spectators kicked off the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Balloon Classic at the Kent State University at Stark campus early Friday morning.
For the past two years, the media and sponsor flight was canceled due to weather conditions, but this year, things changed.
As the sun rose, balloonists began preparing for lift off. Hot air balloons slowly launched into the air, soaring above Stark County.
Nearly 50 hot air balloons are registered to take part in this year’s Balloon Classic, which is organized by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Aultman. The festivities began Friday and will continue until Sunday morning.
An estimated 130,000 spectators will view the balloon activities over the weekend as they enjoy food, fireworks, music and other activities.
2023 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival: What's new? Here are 6 things to know.
Prepare for lift off at the Balloon Classic
Pilots from across the country gathered to fly at the 38th annual festival.
Balloonists traveled from Michigan, West Virginia, North Carolina, Iowa, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Kentucky to share their love of hot air balloons.
The launch zone was located at an open field on the Kent State Stark campus, surrounded by food trucks and sponsor tents.
Balloonists began preparing for flight by unloading balloon parts from the backs of trucks and vans. Baskets were unpacked and quickly attached to “envelopes,” the colorful fabric of the balloons.
Electric fans filled the balloons with air, inflating them to size. Flames from the propane-fueled burners began lifting the weight off the ground.
'Wings Over Wicker' crew takes flight
Luke Russell's "Wings Over Wicker" balloon was blue, decorated with images of a skyline, airplane and cloud.
The Chagrin Falls local had a small but mighty crew to help him lift off: his 63-year-old mother, Marie Russell, and 74-year-old father, Steve Russell.
As it turns out, for the Russells, ballooning is somewhat of a family tradition.
"I've always had a fascination with flying," said Luke Russell, an aircraft mechanic. "It helped that my parents were doing it when I was young."
Steve Russell became a licensed pilot in 1994. He taught Marie how to fly in 1998 and eventually, she taught her son. Luke Russell learned how to operate a hot air balloon when he was just 14 years old.
The now 33-year-old Luke Russell owns multiple hot air balloons, but he said "Wings Over Wicker" is his favorite. He was happy to fly it and kick off the Balloon Classic.
The balloon took flight at approximately 7:35 a.m. and headed northeast.
Steve and Marie Russell quickly loaded into their van. Using a GPS tracker, they followed the balloon as it made its way over North Canton.
Russell maintained the height of the balloon by using heat. To fly at a higher altitude, he released flames from the burner, warming up the balloon. Once the balloon cooled down, it slowly dropped.
"Wings Over Wicker" traveled past The Strip, Price Park and Hoover High School before landing in a small field off Mount Pleasant Road.
Within 10 minutes of landing, a white van arrived on the scene. It was Marie and Steve Russell, ready to recover the hot air balloon.
They deflated the balloon, neatly folded up the envelope and began loading the van. The envelope was stored in the back, while the basket was strapped onto a lift outside the vehicle.
The wind and the weather
The perfect weather conditions are clear skies and a slight breeze.
Luke Russell said the ideal wind speed is 5 to 10 mph. Hot air balloons move with the wind, so no wind means no movement and too much wind makes a balloon difficult to control.
When flying, Luke Russell tries to stay 100 miles from a storm to prevent large gusts from impacting travel.
While the Russells and many other pilots are eager for more flights this weekend, their ability to take off depends on the wind and the weather.
"We are all itching to fly," said Luke Russell.
Contact Abreanna Blose by email at ablose@gannett.com or by phone at 330-580-8513.
What you need to know about the 2023 Balloon Classic
For the 2023 Balloon Classic, admission is free, but parking is $10. Organizers advise attendees to allow extra travel time due to road construction at The Strip.
Here is a schedule of events:
Friday, July 28
4 p.m.: Food and vendors open
4 to 10 p.m.: Target drop, balloon education area, children’s inflatables area, skydivers, Budweiser Clydesdales appearance (full hitch before balloon launch)
6 to 6:30 p.m.: Balloon launch (if weather permits)
6:30 p.m.: Live music: Pop Fiction
6:30 to 9 p.m.: Tethered balloon rides
8:30 p.m.: Live music: New Wave Nation
9 p.m.: The Night Glow
Saturday, July 29
6:30 to 7:30 a.m.: Balloon launch (if weather permits)
8:00 a.m.: Up, Up & Away 5K
3 p.m.: Lift off Kick off: Music, DJ, games, giveaways, food vendors, beer sales
4 to 10 p.m.: Target drop, balloon education area, children’s inflatables area, skydivers, Budweiser Clydesdales appearance (full hitch before balloon launch)
6 to 6:30 p.m.: Balloon launch (if weather permits)
6:30 p.m.: Live music: Chris Kraft
6:30 to 9 p.m.: Tethered balloon rides
8:30 p.m.: Live music: Kolby Oakley
10 p.m.: Fireworks
Sunday, July 30
6:30 to 7:30 a.m.: Balloon launch and target drop (if weather permits)
This article originally appeared on The Repository: 2023 Balloon Classic takes flight as part of HOF Enshrinement Festival
