March 28, 2024

High-Flying Fun at Balloonfest

June 18, 2015

The envelope, the valve, the gores, the burners, the skirt and the basket; what do all of these things have in common? If you were a balloonist, or “balloon pilot,” you’d know they’re parts of a hot air balloon.

The envelope, gores, valve and skirt and all part of the balloon itself; the basket holds the pilot and passengers; and the burners fill the balloon with hot hair to make it fly.

More than 50 brightly colored, massive hot air balloons will fill the sky above Howell, Michigan for the annual Michigan Challenge Balloonfest, which began in 1984. Watched by more than 100,000 spectators, the pilots at this event are competing for the state championship in hot air ballooning, including a trophy, cash and prizes.

AIRBORNE COMPETITION 

The balloonists take on several challenges, such as flying downwind to locate predetermined targets that they mark as “hit” by throwing down a marker (a weighted nylon ball with a long tail) or “Hare and Hound,” where a lone balloonist puts down a target for all the other balloonists to attempt to hit.

The competitions are mostly about precision and direction, being able to control the balloon as it’s flown with grace and speed, and using wind currents and altitude to steer the balloons to a specific place.

Balloonfest attracts some of the top balloon pilots in the world. This year, the roster will include both 2014 U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Champion Johnny Petrehn and Yudai Fujita, the 2014 World Hot Air Balloon Champion.

For spectators, the main field is the primary attraction, where all the balloon launches and fly-ins (landing a balloon) take place. Watch the balloons launch en masse several times over the course of the weekend and, if you want to find out more about hot air ballooning, attend a meet-and-greet with the fest’s balloon pilots.

Don’t miss the unique nighttime events at Balloonfest, offering two completely different perspectives and plenty of photo ops:

the Balloon Glow event, showcasing the beauty of the balloons lit from the inside and the daring Skydiving Night Show, with lots of airborne thrills.

Alongside the balloons themselves are a plethora of additional attractions, some of them in air and some of them on land.

ARTS AND CARNIVALS

The Windjammers Stunt Kite Team from Royal Oak will perform airborne acts of choreography that are a far cry from the antics that got your kite stuck in the power lines as a kid. Specializing in flying trains of kites, each team member creates kite “dances,” often with 10 or more kites strung together on long lines.

If you’re a music fan, groove to the rock sounds of the band Rule 76 at their Saturday concert or make your own music and compete in the Livingston Sensation Singing Contest for the chance to win a hot air balloon ride.

You can also enjoy the event’s juried Arts Festival, including plenty of balloonthemed items; the Open-Air Marketplace, an upscale flea market with lots of trinkets and antiques; and displays from the nearby Yankee Air Museum.

Many of the local shops and restaurants in Howell will be offering specials and other happenings in conjunction with Balloonfest. Downtown Howell is an easy one-mile walk east of the Balloonfest grounds on Grand River Avenue, past a row of Victorian houses.

Don’t miss the Wade Shows Carnival, on site with thrill rides, ferris wheels, gaming booths and other attractions. Because you haven’t really taken carnival rides to the max until you’re riding with giant balloons soaring above your head.

The 2015 Michigan Challenge Balloonfest takes place June 26-28 at the Howell High School complex in Howell (halfway between Lansing and Detroit on I-96), with entrances on West Grand River Avenue, M-59 and Highlander Way. Parking/admission is $14 daily or $25 for the weekend, per carload. Carnival rides are priced separately. For more information, visit michiganchallenge.com or call 517-546-3920.

Trending

Mysterious Michigan Reads

We can’t think of a better way to spend spring break than with a great book. Northern Express asked local bookseller... Read More >>

Heirloom Recipes With Heritage, History, and Nostalgia

Before we begin to stash our coats and put winter behind us, let us remember what years past have taught us…fake sp... Read More >>

A Floral Family Affair

In the quaint downtown of Elk Rapids sits Golden Hill Farms, a shop where the artistry of floristry meets the rustic charm... Read More >>

A Look at Originalism

O Tempora O Mores! Oh the times, oh the culture. This Latin phrase relates to both the 18th century and our current times.... Read More >>