by Robert J. Fahey
The Stowe Balloon Festival celebrated
its eleventh birthday this past July. The weather for this year's festival
ran the gamut from sunny evening skies to misty, hazy, mornings. Judging
by the tired smiles Sunday morning, the weekend was another success for
the Stowe festival. The event takes place each year within a week of the
fourth of July.
Chuck Baraw, a pilot of twenty years, and the Baraw clans' Stoweflake Inn, were the gracious hosts for the festival. The Stowe Area Association, Chuck, balloonmeister Ruth Ludwig and a host of volunteers spent much of the year preparing for the event.
The focus of this three day festival, which runs Friday evening through Sunday morning, is the pilot and crew. The reduced emphasis on the commercial end of the festival is balanced by the increased emphasis of the social aspect of the festival. Balloonists just want to have fun!
Well known for its alpine and nordic skiing in winter, Stowe is a four season destination. The festival adds to the economy of Stowe without overwhelming the village, which pleases everyone. The town's people all recall the year the balloons went south instead of east, but can't remember where the balloons landed that year. Those who live in the flight path pause to watch the balloons before heading off in the morning or before a late supper in the evening.
After the Sunday morning flight a brunch is served for the sponsors, pilots and crew. One last chance to share stories and discuss the sport of hot air ballooning with friends before heading home or to the next balloon event.
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