Weekend fun: HOF Balloon Classic is here with flights, food and more
JACKSON TWP. – As balloonists and spectators gathered early Friday morning for the media flight portion of the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Balloon Classic, there was something noticeably absent from the skies: the balloons.
The flight was canceled for the second year in a row after it became clear that wind conditions weren't conducive for safe flying patterns. It didn't stop pilots and balloon fans from enjoying the fun designs and bright colors of the roughly 50 balloons at the event.
2021 Balloon Classic:Balloon Classic kicks off at Kent State / Stark campuses
Pilots at the Balloon Classic were still able to inflate their balloons on a field near the campuses of Kent State University at Stark and Stark State College. Some remained on the ground while others hovered slightly above it, tethered by cables.
More balloon events are set for Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.
Mike Lorentz, one of the pilots, said he was disappointed he couldn't fly his balloon, a colorful patchwork of fabric named "Wasting Time," though he understood why the decision was made.
"I looked at a little bit of weather this morning and I was concerned about the direction (of wind) because it was toward Canton, and it would be kind of slow. If you can't get past the city, there's no place to really land in the city," said Lorentz, of Marlboro Township. "It's just not worth the risk to go that direction, which is unfortunate, because we want to fly and not stay on the ground."
He added that although he would have preferred to fly, being grounded allows spectators to see the balloons up close. Those in the crowd were able to easily witness the process to get a hot air balloon in the sky, albeit much lower than normal.
More to come for the 2022 HOF Balloon Classic
As balloons inflated and took shape, Michele Clark kept her eyes locked on the field. Clark, of South Euclid, has been attending the Balloon Classic for more than 35 years and remains fascinated with the aircraft.
"I got the bug early on," Clark said. When she was in school in 1984, she was on the crew of a friend who owned a hot air balloon. Though she could never buy one, she joked, she's always loved to see them fly and relive her experiences.
Among the crowd were several couples who brought their children to enjoy the media flight. Ashley Arbaugh and Derrick Schweizer had attended the Balloon Classic for about 10 years before they had children. This year, they came as a family to enjoy the festivities.
"I was a little disappointed when I saw they weren't going to fly, but it's so exciting just to see them because you don't see hot air balloons that often," Arbaugh said. Schweizer added that the couple's oldest daughter, who is 2 1/2, was steadfast in wanting to ride in one.
Becoming a balloonist
Though some might assume working with hot air balloons is complicated and hard to get involved in, Lorentz said, all it takes is a little commitment and anyone can be well on their way to becoming a balloonist.
More: 'This never gets old.' Minerva teacher designs, builds his own hot air balloon
Lorentz compared the training to get certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and become a pilot to the requirements for getting a driver's license. There are a sequence of steps people have to go through to get certified, and that usually starts with being a crew member.
"We're always looking for crew and people to help, and somebody who's certainly interested in getting into aviation or becoming a pilot, you know, we'll take them," he said. "It always helps to crew for a while before you start instead of just coming right out, buying a system and then giving it a try because it's labor intensive."
Emily Mouser, of Canton, has been on the crew of Lorentz for years and recently got her private balloon license, meaning she can carry passengers but cannot benefit commercially. She plans on trying to get her commercial pilot license in the near future.
She's been around hot air balloons her whole life, and she finds ballooning to be peaceful. It's in her blood, she said.
Like Lorentz, Mouser encouraged anyone interested in hot air balloons to get involved. To her, it's easy.
"If you are at all interested in balloons, and you see one flying, go chase it," Mouser said. "And when it lands say, 'Hey, can I help?' because they're going to say yes, and you will learn so much."
Contact Ryan via email at rmaxin@gannett.com, on Twitter at @ryanmaxin or by phone at 330-580-8412.
If you go:
Friday, July 29
4 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Target drop, balloon education area, children's inflatables area, skydivers
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Balloon launches (weather permitting)
6:30 p.m.: Live music from SWAGG
8 p.m.: Doughnut eating contest
8:30 p.m.: Live music from New Wave Nation
9 p.m.: Night glow
Saturday
6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: Balloon launch (weather permitting)
8 a.m.: Up, Up & Away 5K
4 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Target drop, balloon education area, skydivers
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Balloon launch (weather permitting)
6:30 p.m.: Live music from Chris Kraft
8:30 p.m.: Live music from Dustin Kines
10 p.m.: Fireworks
Sunday
6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.: Balloon launch (weather permitting)
This article originally appeared on The Repository: The Hall of Fame Balloon Classic was successful despite wind
