Balloon Life,September 2000

34

ValleyfestIIIwasheldJune9-11in
Roanoke, Virginia. It was the first year for
hot air balloons. Valleyfest III originally
started as kite flying competition and auto,
truckshowwithmajormusicentertain-
ment, andanendof school outdoor con-
certforteens.Valleyfestwasorganized
by Roanoke County’s Special Events co-
ordinator, Eddy Ford. Balloonmeister this
year was Steve Woods of theVirginia Is
For Lovershot air balloon.
On Friday morning, June 9, the 5 a.m.
pilots briefing was held at the hotel. Wind
waslightat5mph.Theballoonscon-
voyed tothe launch field, 10 miles away
at Greenfield Park in Botetourt County. A
mediaflight with five balloons took place.
TheVirginia Is For Loversballoon did a
splash anddashon the pondin the park.
Fridayeveningapicnicforpilotsand
crew washeldinthepark,followedby
tether ridesanda balloon glow.
Saturday morningthe balloons were
backatGreenfieldParkforahareand
hounds competition. Threeballoons made
ittothe target. Drops were 17 inches, 18
inches,and22feetsixinches.Thekite
competition, auto, truck showwas held all
daySaturdayinthe park.
Saturdayeveningwas toowindy for
a flight and the wind was blowing toward
themountains.Twoballoonsendedup
inflating and doing short flights across the
field.Nearduskthewindcalmedand
tetherrideswerefollowedbyanother
balloon glow for the spectators.
Sundaymorninganotherhareand
houndscompetitionwasheld.Nobal-
loons, however, made it to the target. The
windchangedandcalmeddown. Atthe
award ceremony, all pilots received money

awards from $650 to $75. First was won
by Bubba Winston of Mechanicsville,
Virginia flying the in You and Me Drug
Free balloon. Just like the first Albuquer-

LOGBOOK

Valleyfest III

First year for Hot Air Balloons

by Pam Dillon

que, New Mexico balloon event, 13 bal-
loons participated in the first Valleyfest
balloon rally.

Good
Morning
Saturda y,
Greenfield
Park in
Botetourt
County,
Virginia