Ready to launch at Balloon Fiesta 2014

OK.  So you’ve read our other four posts showing the glorious skies over Albuquerque filled with colorful balloons, and you really, really want to see this phenomenal event for yourself.  But bear with us as we bring reality to you:  Not all sessions at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta have successful lift-offs.  We know it’s sad.  But it happens.

See that yellow flag in the distance? That’s what you watch to see if it turns to red, calling off the Balloon Fiesta session.

We attended two afternoon sessions only to leave both of them with no balloons in flight anywhere.  Here’s the deal.  Balloon Fiesta officials fly a flag on Main Street.  Green means all conditions are favorable for lift-off.  Yellow means something may be afoot, and you need to watch the weather carefully.  Red, however, indicates the whole event — well the balloon part, at least — is a No Go.  Weather happens, you see: high winds, rain, you name it — safety comes first in launching balloons, and we respect that.

Sometimes you just have to make that long trek back to the parking lot without seeing a single balloon rise. But don’t worry. There’s lots to do while you wait and see.

So, what do you do at Balloon Fiesta when balloons don’t fly?  Well, as it turns out — a lot! Here are some first-hand activities that we enjoyed balloons or no balloons.

1. Watch strong guys carve wood.   The AIBF Chainsaw Carvers Invitational sets up at the end of Main Street.  And if seeing hot, tired, on-their-feet-all-day creative carvers isn’t enough, you can also bid for one of their wood creations.  From bears to eagles to New Mexico balloons, it’s a sight worth seeing!

2.  Pose for pictures.  Let your kid be an astronaut or be a kid yourself and gather round these strategically placed boards throughout the park.  After all, you know you want to send Facebook pics to the folks back home!

3. Buy something.  Big tents hold the latest t-shirts as well as key chains, pens, and patches to sew on your blue jean jacket.  And most of the stuff you can put on right there in the makeshift dressing rooms and wear out to the field!

T-shirts in all sizes, all colors at Balloon Fiesta 2014

Since both afternoon/evening sessions we attended were called off, we never saw Balloon Glow — a lineup of balloons all lit up at once! A t-shirt might be the next best thing!

4.  Zipline above the crowd.  The ZipIt crew will strap you in and send you off into the clouds.  They won’t, however, hold your hand.  You’re on your own for that!

5.  Walk on water.  Looked like fun to us, but don’t ask us for a first-hand testimonial.  You climb in a big see-through ball and roll around in a water-filled pit.  Fun for some.  Or at least it sounded like it!

Just as the sign says: Walk on Water!

6.  Be entertained.  With a big stage and ground-thumping sound system, you can pretty much hear the line-up of musicians all over the area.  And see the live screencast from the field.

Seen from afar, the concert stage at Balloon Fiesta 2014

7.  Collect pins.  Now, I normally don’t take pics of people’s chests, but Bernadine was quite proud of all the commemorative pins she had collected over the years.  In fact, as of October 2014 she hadn’t missed a single Balloon Fiesta!

Bernadine’s been to all Balloon Fiestas — and has the pins to prove it!

8.  Eat hearty.  We love festivals, hometown celebrations, and anything local where you can find foods of the area.  We don’t know if The Hot Boat and a Lotaburger qualify as gourmet samplings or even a representative taste of New Mexico, but we wanted to try them anyway!

It’s hot all right: The Hot Boat at Balloon Fiesta 2014.

Wouldn’t you want to buy a Blake’s Lotaburger from this young lady?!

9.  Thank the folks in charge.  At every turn, there were police officers, paramedics, volunteers, etc., who made sure Balloon Fiesta was safe for the thousands of onsite visitors, hoping for a good time and nothing more.

So grateful to those who want to make Balloon Fiesta a safe place for kids!

Approachable, too — the police on horseback allowed visitors to meet and greet.

10.  Watch the weather.  As we said before, weather conditions change rapidly.  On one of the afternoons we were there, the flag changed from green to yellow to red in just a couple of hours.  And you never know, you may make be lucky enough to catch a rainbow.

Greatness Awaits says the sign under the rainbow. And you never know . . . balloons may go up or not. Balloon Fiesta’s fun anyway.

Best wishes for great lift-offs while you’re at Balloon Fiesta.  But if balloons don’t rise, just know this:  you’ve got lots of options!

For more information:

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: http://www.balloonfiesta.com/

For information on getting a refund when weather cancels a session, go here.

If you’ve been to Balloon Fiesta, let us know what you liked best.  And if you want to read our other posts, check ’em out here:

Best advice for Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta:  Go early.  Really Early.

Pulling strings to launch the big ones:  Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta

Yes, cows fly!  Special Shape Rodeo at Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Smiley faces all around at Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta

Here’s looking at you, Balloon Fiesta 2015! We’re ready to launch!

With only a few days remaining before Balloon Fiesta 2015 officially begins on October 3rd, we’re launching a series of posts based upon our experiences at the 2014 event.

Spanning the days of October 3 to 11, Balloon Fiesta 2015 promises more color, more variety, more excitement . . . well, more of everything.  But even if you can’t make it to Albuquerque, New Mexico, we hope you’ll enjoy taking a look back with us and reading more of what makes this event one of our all-time special travel memories.

Filling the sky with colorful balloons over Albuquerque, New Mexico: Balloon Fiesta 2014

So, come along with us in the next few days as a prequel to one of New Mexico’s finest events.  There’s definitely a lot to see!

One of the best events in the USA: Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta

For more information:

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2015: http://www.balloonfiesta.com/

Everyone loves wearing a costume at the East Tennessee History Fair

With the upcoming East Tennessee History Fair coming up August 15, 2015, we are reposting this blog that was originally published in 2014.  For a listing of all the activities (and there are many), be sure to check the East Tennessee History Fair website here for times and events.  Then head downtown for book signings, reenactors, Friends of the Knox County Library Book Sale, children’s activities, dog costume contest, activities at the Tennessee Theatre.  Or hop on a bus and tour historic homes.  At World’s Fair Park, watch Vintage Baseball as it once was played.  So much to do at the History Fair!!

If the term “jam-packed” ever defined a one-day festival, it would be most appropriate at the Eighth Annual East Tennessee History Fair sponsored by the East Tennessee Historical Society on August 16th! And you might wonder if anyone in our modern tech age would be interested.  But with record numbers in attendance (probably beating last year’s 13,000) and a grand slate of events, there was no way any one person could see it all . . .  but thousands tried. We hung out mainly in Krutch Park in the center of downtown Knoxville since there were reenactors, authors, and history groups galore.  And our position had a little to do with the proximity right next to the food trucks and Market Square Farmers Market, famous in its own right!  (See bottom of this post for a listing of other events that day.)

East Tennessee Historical Society, sponsor of the East Tennessee History Fair

Krutch Park was a-buzz with all the history folks.  Like the Knoxville Civil War Roundtable offering special commemorative items.  Since the Civil War Sesquicentennial is just around the corner, they know folks are watching web sites for updates so they can “do it up right.” They were happy to fill us in on what’ll be happening in East Tennessee.

Knoxville Civil War Roundtable booth at East Tennessee History Fair

Commemorative mugs and license plates at the Knoxville Civil War Roundtable booth.

Authors like Gordon T. Belt sat under tents and autographed books. Some even posed for pictures and told why they did all that research and published a book.  (No small feat, of course.)

Author of John Sevier: Tennessee’s First Hero, Gordon T. Belt, takes a break from autographing copies.

In another booth, Laura Still described her Knoxville Walking Tours.  You can have your choice of packaged tours — Civil War, Ghosts, Early Years, Gunslingers, Literary Heritage — and more.  And if you take one of the 90-minute jaunts, you’ll learn a little Knoxville history and add steps to your FitBit, too!

Laura Still of Knoxville Walking Tours

But most impressive (especially in the summer heat) were the many reenactors in the Living History Timeline representing Colonial days to WWII.  Several, like Kelly Ford in an authentic WWI uniform, told how he made everything using remnants from original clothing.

We were especially honored to meet Abe and Mary Lincoln (Tom and Susan Wright) and their son Tad (grandson Kyle Wright) behind The Holston.

Tom & Sue Wright with grandson Kyle Wright pose as Mary, Tad, and Abe Lincoln

Near the side entrance to the East Tennessee Historical Society Museum, onlookers were fascinated that a blacksmith (Bill Rose) was plying his trade and sharing his techniques right on a city street . . .

Mike Rose demonstrates blacksmithing techniques in Krutch Park

while some young festival attendees fashioned dolls out of cloth scraps with the help of volunteer seamstresses — much as children would have done in days gone by.

A representative from The Society of Civil War Surgeons portrayed Col. Bill Walker as he shared how surgeries were performed using many of the instruments he had carefully displayed. (See those silver prongs?  They had something to do with “bustin’ up” kidney stones, but I wince even as I post this!)

Col. Bill Walker, Civil War Surgeon

David Dinwiddie shared the story and pictures of his great great uncle William Dinwiddie, a Knoxville policeman fatally shot by the infamous outlaw Kid Curry in 1902. The constable hat?  Yep, authentic.  Owned by William Dinwiddie and well preserved, don’t you think?

David Dinwiddie portrays a 1902 constable with original hat worn by great great uncle William Dinwiddie

In another tent, long-time friend Bill Alexander charmed us as only he can do with his poetry and “gen-u-wine” mountain humor.  Dubbed the Poet Laureate of Hippie Jack’s, Bill makes mountain berry baskets and writes poetry, much of which he recites when he performs for crowds who appreciate a true Appalachian humorist and lover of “the good life.”

Bill Alexander, Poet Laureate of Hippie Jack’s

Talented folks inside the East Tennessee History Center shared their knowledge and crafts  — like Dale Liles and Carolyn Rogers  – the art of spinning; Anne Freels  – how to make cornhusk dolls; and Edward Bardill and others who moved handmade miniature soldiers to replicate the Battle of Campbell’s Station.

By all accounts, the East Tennessee History Fair was one for . . . well, the history books:  record crowd, long list of events, and kids (and grownups) listening while those in the know shared what they came to share.  Better check this one out next year.  It really is a Blast from the Past.

Jeremy Hall, Union soldier, shows Zoe his Civil War firearm.

Other events in the East Tennessee Historical Society History Fair:

• Free admission to the Museum of East Tennessee History
• Davy Crockett’s Birthday celebration
• “History Hound” Dog Costume Contest
• WDVX Radio & Clayton Country Music Stage
• Friends of the Library Book Sale
• Meet the Authors & Book Signing (Gordon T. Belt, Natalie Sweet, Martha Wiley, Jack Neely, Bill Landry)
• Raku Pottery activity
• Living History Timeline
• Demonstrating Artists
• Historic Home Tours
• Civil War Bus Tour
• Tennessee Theatre Tours
• Women’s Suffrage Memorabilia and Office Tours
• Vintage Base Ball Doubleheader
• East Tennesseans on Film (Bijou Theatre)
• Civil War Commemoration Event
• Live Music

For more information:

East Tennessee Historical Society:

With the motto Hope Floats, members of the Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) gather for a group photo at their tent at their sponsored event : KARM Dragon Boat Festival.

Ready to line up the boats at KARM Dragon Boat Festival 2015

For more entries into the Weekly Photo Challenge: ROY G. BIV, row on over to this site right here. 

We’re reposting this piece on the Big Kahuna Wing Festival from the event in 2013.  Tomorrow the 2015 version rolls out from 12 to 8 at World’s Fair Park in Knoxville.  Get ready for the tastiest wings anywhere and for a hot afternoon — wear sunscreen and hats!  You’ll love the vendors, music, people, and, of course, “them wangs”!!

Festivals are all over the place, but if this first Big Kahuna Wing Festival on June 22nd is any indication of things to come, there’ll be a next one, for sure.  It was hot all right.  Temps in World’s Fair Park almost reached three digits if you add the heat of “them wangs” with the afternoon sun and music blasting from the on-fire bands that kept us moving even while lined up waiting for saucy delights.  You could go from tent to tent — getting one free wing and a hole punched in the card you got with your $10-at-the-gate ticket. Or, if you found your favorite and wanted more,  you could pony up an extra buck for another round.

Happy ticket sellers wearing Big Orange!

The VIP tent sponsored by Aubrey’s was sold out, and that made these ladies might proud and mighty happy!

It was hard work, but someone had to do it, so we roamed the park and sampled the best.  Like Quaker Steak and Lube where the heat kicked in and we held on tight.

We loved watching the shenanigans of the spirited team Trivia Guys almost as much as sampling their tasty wings.  As people plunked down extra tips, these guys did a shout-out — and the crowd gave ’em more!

The team from Trivia Guys was a hoot!

Our alma mater — U.T. — passed out entries from the Culinary Institute . . .

and Bert was happy to get an extra wing from Rooster’s when I gave up my ticket for a chance to get a cold bottle of water!

The guys at Flusterclucks won my vote for best T-shirts.  You could try to win one with a dollar donation to benefit Ronald McDonald House and Empty Stocking Fund, the two causes supported by the festival as a whole.

One of the guys from Flusterclucks punches a wing card.

And some folks just went without a shirt.  This guy standing in front of me said he was happy to let me take a picture of his back — or his front, too, for that matter.

So, I asked, when I are you gonna get your legs done? He replied with a smile, That’s comin’ next!

We were tipped off to a “wing ya gotta try” recommendation by someone ahead of us in line at another booth. Try Number 17, he said. But when we got there, the wings were gone.  Given out.  No more.  So we waited (in a patient but hopeful sorta way) for about 30 minutes.  And sure ‘nough, it was worth it.  These wing kings with the name Just Right Wings smoked ’em first, and then added their own recipe for kickin’ good sauce. When I asked if they had a business, I was told, No, ma’am.  We’re just guys who like to tailgate together.

The guys from Just Right Wings

And ’cause they were a bargain, a plate of home-fried potato chips just had to be bought as a side dish.  Look at the size of that stack. (More water, please!)

It wasn’t just wings at Big Kahuna Wing Festival — there were vendors lined up, too.  From those selling art to those offering fudge and even this one giving us a chance to win a free tailgating package.  That’s right.  If we had won, Tailgate Tennessee would have set up our very own tailgate at all home football games.  (Oh, how I wish they’d drawn our name!)

If you thought moonshine was somethin’ just made by the likes of Popcorn Sutton in the hollers of East Tennessee, you can think again.  This new company from Georgia, Moonshine History (mtnmoonshine@gmail.com), is waiting for their license to sell you gen-u-wine moonshine in the Volunteer State.  (No samples distributed here at Big Kahuna, by the way.)

But Jeff, one of the owners, did have a shirt I liked!

We stood in the hot sun watching two bands get even hotter.  At 1:30 we loved the pounding rhythms of Aaron Tracy Band — great dancing music for those who could stand the heat.

It was non-stop, hard-hitting music from Aaron Tracy Band.

And at 4:00, the lilting, almost-Caribbean, strands of Dishwater Blonde brought out those who weren’t wilted already. (Loved their bongo drums.)  Who says you can’t have your wings and eat ’em, too?!

Mixing the sound (and eating some wangs!) for Dishwater Blonde.

Big people were at BKWF — like Mayor Tim Burchett and meteorologist Todd Howell (who did nothing about that blasted heat!)

Mayor Tim Burchett and meteorologist Todd Howell of WBIR

One lady had a showstopper — she brought her own tropical bird.  And how she kept that beauty from performing a flyintotheboothandgrabawing thing is beyond me!

From behind the scenes where the “real” men cook wings on big grills and wear matching t-shirts . . .

to just the average (average?) Joes munching on their favorite spicy ones . . .

the inaugural Big Kahuna Wing Festival was a definite hit!

Can’t get enough of these wings!

Next year (if there is a next year), ya gotta make plans to go!

Big Kahuna Wing Festival: http://www.bkwfestival.com

benefitting

News-Sentinel Empty Stocking Fund: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/topic/empty-stocking-fund/

and

Ronald McDonald House of Knoxville: http://www.knoxrmhc.org

Favorite entry in Chalk Walk 2014 by students of the STEM Academy.

It its sixth year at the Dogwood Arts Festival, Chalk Walk has again brought out artists young and old, amateur and professional to create ephemeral art from mere pieces of chalk.  Although last year’s Chalk Walk was mostly washed away by heavy rains only an hour or so after completion, this year’s event left lasting impressions in Krutch Park and Market Square downtown. And the crowds loved it! Sidewalks were packed as viewers moved cautiously, elbow-to-elbow, careful not to disturb those carefully shaded areas of the designated, marked-off squares.

Chalk Walk is art.  But it’s also an event.  And this year’s combined the best:  great weather, huge crowd, fabulous art!

Artists at Work

The artists were as much fun to watch as they moved in closely or stood up to get a better idea of how the work was flowing.  Sometimes they talked to the crowd; sometimes they worked in silence.  We found it fascinating to watch an artist and then return an hour later to check on the progress.

Artists sometimes worked together to share chalk — whether the rainbow shades came in neat boxes or in sacks of leftover pieces like children use on home driveways.  Jerry’s Artarama donated some of the chalk, but we have a feeling that there could have been several runs to the store for more as artists wore the pieces down to nubs.

Artists worked together to select and share the right colors

Sometimes we wondered if artists dressed to match their creations!

Baby powder was the medium of choice for the faces in this entry.

Teamwork helped Faith McDaniel, Katy Rivers, and Sam Artman create this dancing lady piece.

Curtis Glover dedicated his chalk drawings of the characters from Monsters, Inc., to his nephews, Anderson and Max.

Young Artists

Some of the best entries in the competition came from students.  Teams and soloists from area schools gave it their all in the hot sun — and made quite an impression with their creativity and detail.

Taking a picture of the entry by students at Blue Grass Elementary.

Loved this picture even more when we discovered the artist was only 14 years old!

An eighth grade student from Vine Middle School worked on this creative drawing and then talked with us about what inspired her.

Sent a picture of this colorful tiger done by students at West High to the LSU fans in my family!

Summer Meiling Finn, the 2013 People’s Choice Award winner, won again this year in the Middle School category.

Personal Faves

Of course, any time you go to an event like this, you have some standouts. Here are the ones we remember most . . . just because we like them.

The artist evaluates the many shades of color in this portrait of a lady.

Many hands — students from STEM Academy — worked on this dreamlike creation while the principal and teachers cheered them on!

If you live in Knoxville and you love the Vols, you’ll crowd around (like just about everyone did) to snap a picture of their favorite hound dog, Smokey!

About the only thing I can remember drawing with chalk during my lifetime is a hop-scotch grid, so I’m thinking we just may have to join our granddaughter when she creates something special in our driveway this summer.  After all, if  you mess up a chalk drawing, so what?  It’s not like we could compete with the artists on Market Square.  They’re good.

Emerson quote rang true with a lot of folks judging by the number of photos taken of it!

Chalk Walk 2014 was sponsored by Avanti Savoia.  Chairing this event were Kathy Slocum and Jim Dodson.

For more information, click here for the Dogwood Arts Festival Website.  You can also check out the history of street art as well as the winners in this year’s competition.

Filed under: Festivals Tagged: Avanti Savoia, Chalk Walk, Dogwood Arts Festival, Jim Dodson, Kathy Slocum, Knoxville, Smokey, Tennessee ]]> https://ohtheplaceswesee.com/2015/04/09/chalk-one-up-for-fun-dogwoods-arts-2014-chalk-walk/feed/ 30 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 rushasams Chalk drawing by students at STEM Academy, Knoxville Chalk Walk 2014 sign Chalk Walk: color selection Chalk Walk: Colorful bird Chalk Walk: Artist using baby powder Teamwork for Chalk Walk Chalk Walk: Curtis Glover's entry Chalk Walk: Blue Grass Elementary Chalk Walk: Princess painting Chalk Walk: Entry from Vine Middle School West High Students draw tiger Chalk Walk: Summer Meiling finn Portrait of a lady with artist STEM students painting a dreamlike lady Chalk Walk: Smokey Chalk Walk: Emerson quote https://ohtheplaceswesee.com/2015/01/04/travel-theme-sparkle/ https://ohtheplaceswesee.com/2015/01/04/travel-theme-sparkle/#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2015 02:17:32 +0000 http://ohtheplaceswesee.com/?p=5456 Continue reading →]]>

Nights of Lights in St. Augustine, Florida — November 22, 2014 to February 1, 2015

With over three hundred million lights, St. Augustine, Florida’s Nights of Lights lives up to its listing in The World’s 10 Best Holiday Displays by National Geographic. Now that’s a lot of sparkle!  All over the city, historic buildings, plazas, trees, and even horse-drawn carriages are decked out in tiny lights.

The Lightner Museum (formerly the Alcazar Hotel) decorated for the Nights of Lights celebration.

Tourists and locals alike seem to enjoy the displays.  On the nights we were there in January, people roamed around the city taking pictures and enjoying the lighted venues.

Enjoying the Nights of Lights, St. Augustine, FL

The lighting goes back to Spanish origins when people placed lighted candles in their windows during the Christmas holidays.  Now celebrating its 449th year in existence, St. Augustine is proud to continue the tradition with its Nights of Lights celebration from November 22, 2014 to February 1, 2015.

Lighted trees, shrubbery, and buildings in St. Augustine, FL

For more information and a photo gallery showing scenes from St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights, click here.

For more entries in Ailsa’s Travel theme: Sparkle on her blog Where’s My Backpack, click here.

Photo credit:  Picture One:  Images of Nights of Lights

Balloon Santa faces were a big hit at the Regal Celebration of Lights 2014!

So what’s up, Knoxville? Gay Street closes? Families with kids smushed into strollers or perched on daddy’s shoulders move through Krutch Park? And the waiting line for the ice rink in Market Square snakes all the way around the big white tent?

It was the Celebration of Lights sponsored by Regal Cinema — Friday, November 28th — when Mayor Rogero (with the help of Santa, of course) lit the city’s holiday tree kicking off Christmas in the City.

And what a crowd it was! Parking lots at capacity. Restaurants with long wait times. And lines at family-friendly booths confirmed what we suspected — kids love doing as much as seeing.  Like writing letters to Santa (sponsored by Visit Knoxville), designing Christmas cards for the troops at the Red Cross booth, or concocting “reindeer” food with the help of Earth Fare employees.

Busy making Santa faces and reindeer hats out of balloons!

Some folks hopped aboard the train snaking its way down Gay Street . . .

Holiday train, Gay Street, Knoxville

while others just tried to stay warm.

Huddled around the fire in front of Urban Outfitters, Knoxville

Strains of holiday sounds from a man playing a saw (yes, really) drew a crowd . . .

This guy played a saw for hours at Knoxville’s Celebration of Lights.

as did the Salvation Army players . . .

Entertaining the crowd at Krutch Park.

and this happy bell ringer.

Ringing the bell for Salvation Army, Knoxville.

A group of exchange students from France and their host families in Oak Ridge loved posing in the midst of the mayhem on Market Square . . . 

Students from Oak Ridge High and exchange students from France pose in Market Square

while wobbly skaters packed into the rink on Market Square — some just lucky to be upright!

A popular place — the ice rink on Market Square. (Open ’til January 5th)

Bundled-up fans like this little panda on her daddy’s shoulders . . .

Daddy with a panda on his shoulders listens to EmiSunshine and the Rain performing in Market Square.

listened — amazed — at the grown-up sounds coming from 10-year-old EmiSunshine and the Rain.  (She even yodels!)

EmiSunshine and the Rain performing on Market Square at the Regal Celebration of Lights

But the longest lines of all moved cautiously in and around and through Krutch Park beautifully lit with over 100,000 lights as young and old tried to find a place near the stage.

Knoxville’s Krutch Park lit for the season.

We joined the crowd, grabbing a free sample of Cheerwine from the girls of Rowan County, North Carolina, where it’s made, and then . . .

Who can resist a free sample of Cheerwine?

when Santa arrived, we listened as Mayor Madeline Rogero urged everyone to enjoy what the city had to offer — from decorated windows to the parade coming on December 5th.  The countdown began — 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — ’til the tree was lit and fireworks shot up toward the top of The Holston!

And the tree was lit!

Another great Celebration of Lights kicked off Christmas in the City.  Knoxville was officially ready for the 2014 holiday season!

For more information about activities all over Knoxville during the month of December, go to the City of Knoxville website.

Articles on the Regal Celebration of Lights:

“Look past Thanksgiving to ‘Christmas in the City'” by Amy McCrary: http://www.knoxnews.com/knoxville/family/look-past-thanksgving-to-christmas-in-the-city_96084918

“Christmas in the City Kicks Off Nov. 28 with Tree Lighting, Market Square Holiday Ho-Ho-Hoedown, Ice Skating”: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/Press_Releases/Content/2014/1113.asp

Facebook pages

City of Knoxville Special Events:  https://www.facebook.com/CityofKnoxvilleSpecialEvents

EmiSunshine and the Rain: https://www.facebook.com/emisunshinemusic

Mayor Madeline Rogero: https://www.facebook.com/MayorRogero

Visit Knoxville: https://www.facebook.com/visitknoxvilletn

But we couldn’t have been more mistaken.  We were there.  On that field.  Right beside the balloons. As if we were a part of the action.  Spinning from one exciting fill-up to another.

And then we could hear the buzz of the crowd.  This one was ready! And we joined in the applause for initially what seemed impossible — getting one of the huge, ball-shaped masses airborne.  We pointed. Yelled, Look! It’s going up! And then fumbled for our cameras to capture the moment of take-off  .  .  .

It was then that the lucky balloon riders gave us crowd people thumbs up’s and big waves as they lifted up. And over. And above us all into the morning air.

It’s about as big a rush as you can get in a field in Albuquerque before dawn.  Well, yeah!

For more entries into Ailsa’s photo challenge — Travel theme: Above — on her blog Where’s My Backpack, click here.  They’ll take you up, up, and away!

For information about the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2015 including dates and schedules, click here.

Vendor of colorful Balloon Fiesta souvenirs — Albuquerque, New Mexico

Colorful baskets made of telephone wire for sale in Soweto, South Africa

Colorful runners in the International Biscuit Festival 2014 early morning race, Knoxville, Tennessee

For more entries in Ailsa’s Where’s My Backpack photo challenge — Travel theme: Colourful — click here.