Balloon Fest 2008 finds a great new home

We had to admit a little trepidation about moving the Balloon Festival to the Red Willow County Fairgrounds, what with power lines and light poles, not to mention the west city water tower in close proximity.

But the rolling grassy field to the south of the grandstands, usually home to carnivals, turned out to be a cozy, comfortable choice, offering shelter for the inflating balloons.

An approaching storm turned Saturday morning's mass liftoff into a "glow," but it was still an impressive sight and well worth giving up a couple of hours of weekend sleep.

The weather was good for Saturday night and Sunday morning's flights, however, so passengers and spectators weren't disappointed. One balloonist counted 300 spectators around the launch site after lifting off Saturday, and many of them stayed around for other festivities.

The Kiwanis pancake booth was a popular attraction, as was the indoor display of a balloon basket and a one-of-a-kind tractor/motorcycle conglomeration, which gave a few rides Saturday, plus food and entertainment.

And, it was good to hear that organizer John Kugler, who had to leave for medical reasons late Saturday, is recovering well in Lincoln and should be home later this week.

The central location of the Balloon Fest made it seem like more of a community event, with neighbors watching from their back yards or strolling over the fairgrounds at their leisure, and balloons floating low over town on their way to landings in the countryside.

So congratulations to everyone who played a part in the 2008 McCook Balloon Fest. It's a wonderful early fall tradition that provides spectacular experiences for first-time passengers and spectacular sights for spectators and photographers alike.

If you have some great photos you'd like to share, you may submit them to mccookballonfest.com or mail CDs of them to the Kugler Co. at P.O Box 1748, McCook NE 69001.