The weekend began with a gala party honoring the balloon pilots and crews. Walking into the ornate building one expected to see the counselors of King Louis XIII in their silk and satin finery discussing state matters of the day. Instead, a smiling Malcolm S. Forbes, Jr. (Steve) greeted guests and introduced other members of the family standing nearby. In the main hall, a cocktail party was in full swing-balloon pilots and crew mingling with captains of industry, crowned heads of Europe, television personalities, and other invited guests. All that was missing was Robin Leach’s voice describing the evening’s events and the people in attendance.
At the proper moment, Steve Forbes led the guests into a massive tent erected in front of the chateau to serve as a dining hall. Dinner was served. Lobster hors d’oeuvres, elegant entrees, scrumptious dessert; life is good. Steve Forbes was formally introduced as the next president of the United States and he in turn introduced each pilot and crew to the assembled multitudes, ably assisted by brother Tim Forbes.
At l1:45 p.m., the guests filed onto the launch field, around which a midway with rides, games and food booths added to the carnival atmosphere. Now the field was encircled by over 15,000 locals who had come to share the fun, to see a half-hour fireworks spectacular fully synchronized to music. The brisk wind had a chill to it, but only hinted of what was to come. Time for a quick nap; pilot briefing is at 6 a.m.
As pilots gathered from around the world, from Austria to Australia, Chile to Croatia,
Kazakhstan to Kenya, most knew that Balloonmeister Dr. Thierry Villey would call no
flight. Winds were beyond safe limits. So, there was little else to do but to enjoy coffee
and croissants, and prepare for the long day ahead.
The day was filled with entertainment: horns and pipes, symphony and dancers, and of course the midway. The meals and cocktails weren’t affected at all! Without the balloons, fewer locals arrived, but there were enough to still give it a state fair atmosphere.
Even with the winds, the Forbes team brought out the massive special shapes and partially inflated them. Don Cameron did the annual inspections, and the guests enjoyed the abbreviated earthbound show. Peter Vizzard inflated the Thunder & Colt equipped with the new Cameron/T&C tri-top to add another drop of color to the event, and curious pilots had to check out the new valve. The winds were still brisk in the afternoon, but the two gas balloons, one German and one French, ascended into the sky amidst a swirl of un-caged doves. At last something was in the air! Weather kept the hot air balloons in the bag for another day, well most of them anyway.
After dinner Ruth Ludwig decided to inflate her small Boland Balloon someplace where the guests could see, but where the winds were less gusty: the bottom of the moat! The system was lowered and inflated. Not to be outdone, the Forbes team lowered a larger balloon and inflated it as well. Once above the confines of the moat, the wind caused the envelopes to rock wildly. The inflation time was short, but the applause from appreciative onlookers long. The party mood continues!
Sunday morning brought rain and cold, and no balloons. Visitors from the surrounding towns stayed home, and guests looked for diversions. I found the dismal chill perfect to visit Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery where the final assault of World War II was launched. There was time to see the Bayeux Tapestry, telling the history of the region for non-readers of the day, or one of several museums dedicated to the ending of the war.
Back at the party, things were getting interesting. On a makeshift stage, Steve Forbes and his brothers presented the Coupe de Balleroy to Steve Fossett in honor of his solo Pacific crossing. The trophy is presented to one who has achieved an outstanding accomplishment in the sport of ballooning. To the delight of the assembled locals, Steve once again showed his courage and daring by reading his acceptance in French, a language he neither speaks nor understands. Although dark clouds and brisk breezes continued to cast a baleful veil over the day, the weather was expected to break and the balloons would indeed fly.
Then it was official. The balloons would fly from the fields behind the chateau during an evening clearing of the weather. Colorful envelopes were laid out on the green grass, with eyes on the dark foreboding sky. Around 8:00 p.m., as the clouds began to clear, inflator fans started and most of the balloons lifted off into the evening air. At last the balloons were flying.
The weekend with the Forbes family was an opportunity to meet new people, to make new friends, and to explore new places. The memories are special: giving three balloon pins to a Normandy gendarme and having him remove his badge and offer it in trade; 2 a.m. bumper car battles on the midway; laughing with Cassia and friends in tent in the wee small hours of the morning; thinking how much Betsy Cronkite’s infectious laughter reminded me of my grandmother.
So I didn’t get to fly-there will be many more opportunities. What will never happen again is my first visit to the Chateau de Balleroy for the International Invitational Balloon Meet. It is special, and it is a party!
