December 2000
Balloonfestival at Weilburg celebrated
pioneer balloonist Francoise Blanchard.
He was the first balloon pilot to fly to
Weilburg in the year 1785—two years
after the invention of the balloon by the
Montgolfier brothers. Blanchard was one
ofthe most important balloon pilots at this
time. On September 7, 1785 he became
the first to make the crossing of the sea
wasfascinated,becausenowtherewas
another way to cross the English Channel
besides using ships. Using this balloon he
startedonOctober3, 1785at10:00am
fromFrankfurtduringanautumnfaire.
AfterhalfanhourhereachedWeilburg
andvisitedthe prince at hispalace. That
was a great sensation for all citizens. The
people hadnever seena balloon before.
Blanchard’s first two attempts atland-
ingfailed, because the people misunder-
stoodthepurposeofthethrownanchor
andtookitofftheropetowhichiswas
attached tothe basket.Blanchard’sthird
attempt,however,wassuccessful.The
balloon was then brought to the palace of
theprince ofWeilburg. Blanchardhim-
self was celebrated for this triumph by the
citizens.
Asasignofhisthankyouforthe
friendlywelcome Blanchardleft his flag
inWeilburg. Today you can findthe flag
inthe city museum.
TheWeilburgBalloonfestivalwas
setupin1995. It startedwiththree bal-
loons.This year 16balloonsgatheredto
joininthe celebration. Theweather this
yearwasexcellent inopposite fromlast
year. Many people attended, especially in
theeveningstoseetheballoonlaunch.
Saturdaynight’s balloonglow presented
Balloonfestival at
Weilburg, Germany
wonderfulatmosphereforthemany
spectators. Many children werefascinated
withTony the Tigerballoon.
OnSunday morningTony the Tiger
landedina forest. That wasreally spec-
tacular.There wasonlyalittle spaceto
landtheballoonsafety.Butitwassuc-
cessful.The picturesfrom thisspectacu-
larlandingshouldnotbeseenbythe
sponsor. They might have a heart-attack.
