by Nita Bateman
The weekend of November 7-9, 1997
brought over 50 magnificent hot air balloons to the high desert town of
Ridgecrest, California for its first annual Balloon Festival. Deemed a "Celebration
of the Sun," both civilian and military balloons participated in the
event that garnered the support of the entire community.
Throughout the town, local merchants showed their support with hot air balloon window displays and signs welcoming visitors to the Veterans Day weekend festival. On Saturday, Balsam Street in downtown Ridgecrest was closed to vehicular traffic to allow room for a "Back to the '50s Party," complete with classic car show, western dancing, chili cook-off, craft booths and a western reenactment show.
The festival officially got underway on Friday evening with a pilot's reception hosted by Heritage Inn, the official balloon headquarters. Earlier that afternoon as pilots arrived in town, they were greeted with over 30 mph winds that created an impending threat to the festival. However, the winds dissipated overnight and by early Saturday morning, under calm skies, the Celebration began.
Saturday's balloon launch began with an impressive opening ceremony featuring rousing music by the Burroughs High School A-Team Band and welcoming speeches by pioneer pilot Ed Yost and Balloonmeister, Duane Powers. Joining the civilian balloons were military hot-air balloons representing the Army, Navy, Marines, POW/MIA, and a special shaped Uncle Sam.
Acting as the "hare," the blue and gold Navy balloon took off in a south-easterly direction across the Indian Wells Valley area on a short flight before choosing its target area in the open desert. Following the steering of the hare balloon, the "hounds" maneuvered their way to the target just off Bowman Road where the competition took place. Dana Thornton took first place landing her bean bag 39 ft. 4 in. from center target. Dean Ekdahl took second and Dale Cummings came in third.
Following Saturday's balloon competition, an emotional ceremony took place at LeRoy Jackson Park in honor of our military Veterans. Appropriate for Veterans Weekend, the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall was in Ridgecrest as part of its nation-wide tour. Tethering behind the Wall, six military and patriotic balloons created an awesome sight as they saluted our fallen heroes. The ceremony was complete with a performing band, aerial salute by Navy fighter jets and a wreath-laying ceremony conducted by the local China Lake U.S. Marine color guard.
Saturday evening brought a gorgeous
desert sunset accented by the glow of over 20 balloons showing off their
luminescent hues. The Ken Robinson Dixieland Band provided music for the
balloon glow as the pilots fired up their burners, twinkling for the enthusiastic
crowd. Almost as if it was planned, as the glow was winding down, spectators
were delighted by the sight of a vapor trail streaking across the sky from
a rocket launched from Vandenburg Air Force Base.
The winds kicked up again Sunday morning causing numerous delays in giving the pilots a thumbs up to fly. Trying to get the competition underway, the Army "hare" balloon launched with the intention of placing a target. But, as luck would have it, it was officially determined that competition could not take place. The crowd was not disappointed however, because two Navy hot air balloons launched carrying skydivers that parachuted out of the baskets, putting on a daring show.
Plans for the Ridgecrest Balloon Festival started over a year ago when Duane Powers was approached by the Chamber of Commerce for an idea to draw interest to the town and help turn its failing economy around. After the event Powers shared with me that since this was Ridgecrest's first festival, his original idea was to hold a small, simple balloon race to stimulate the interest of the community and to educate them on ballooning. But once the invitations went out, advertising the military theme and that Ed Yost was the guest speaker, responses from pilots started rolling in. "I had no idea it would grow to over 50 pilots and experience the tremendous support it has received, " commented Powers.
The festival is unique in that 150 community activists formed a private corporation to raise the funds needed to acquire land for a permanent festival site. The land purchased is conveniently located between the communities of Inyokern and Ridgecrest. It encompasses 118 acres in which only 24 have been developed for public parking and the balloon field, leaving over 90 acres available for further use. With the first festival under their belt, the Board of Directors is already discussing plans to further develop the site into a first-class balloon park.
Ridgecrest is a community oriented town centrally located 160 miles north of Los Angeles and offers clear, dry air, magnificent vistas and pleasant temperatures. From Ridgecrest it is a quick trip to national parks and monuments including Death Valley and Mount Whitney for skiing, hunting, golf, fishing and more.
The Ridgecrest Balloon Festival organization can be reached by calling (800) 406-5331.
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