September 2000
17thLondonBalloonFestivalwas
heldinHarrisPark,London,Ontario
August 3-7.
Thiseventisuniqueinthatadmis-
sion is free for all spectators, thanks to the
supportofthenumeroussponsors.The
popularityof the LondonBalloonFesti-
val can be attributed to the fact that spec-
tatorscanliterallytouchthe balloonsas
theyare beinginflated. Itisanamazing
sighttowatchfamiliesmovetheir lawn
chairs,coolers andblanketsasthe crews
begin to spread out the envelopes.
The confines of HarrisPark, located
in downtown London, allow for excellent
shelterfromwindduringtheinflation
process,butlimitstheamountof space
available toabout twentyballoons.
This is one of the few festivals that I
have attended where there is a huge spec-
tator turnout for the morning launches, a
direct result of the ideal location.
Saturdaymorning’slaunchtook the
balloons right over the business district of
London and allowed all of the balloonists
tofly torural areas for safe landings.
Saturdayevening’sconditionswere
very much windier as the balloons flewat
about 15 to 20 knots, allowing them to get
tothesurroundingareasquickly.How-
ever, the pilots had to be very selective in
choosingwheretolandastherewere
numerous fields that stillheld crops. Some
of the balloonistswerealoftlonger than
they had anticipated as they were seeking
a suitable place to land.
Althoughpoorweatherwasantici-
patedfortheremainder of the weekend,
the participants did mange one more flight
Sunday evening. Thisannual eventcon-
tinues to be successful due to local inter-
imity to London. It is a great opportunity
for parents to allow their children to have
virtually a “hands-on” ballooning experi-
ence.
Ha rri s Par k in d own to wn Lon do n,
Ontario .
Right: Pilot inspecting his envelope and
preparing for inflation during the 17th
London Balloon Festival.
