Midland takes to the air
Anyone who knows me knows that one of my favourite movies is Up! It’s got sentiment, it’s got action, it’s got a ruthless villain and an unlikely team of heroes, and of course, it has adventure – what’s not to love? (Did I mention the TALKING DOG!) But what I just realized after attending the Midland Hot Air Balloon Festival in Michigan (my first ever), is that the reason why I like Up! so much might also have something to do with the idea of travelling via balloon…
Disney and Jules Verne have something in common beyond just imagination.
Midland Hot Air Balloon Festival
I have always thought there was something magical and old-school about hot air balloons, an idea probably planted there without my even knowing it after seeing Around the World in 80 Days when I was a kid. But I’d never been to an actual balloon festival until just recently when Henk and I happened to be in Midland, Michigan, the same weekend as their Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. It was serendipitous timing, and a photo opportunity we couldn’t miss, so we headed to the lift-off site, making sure to get a front-row spot at the edge of the field where the balloon crews were waiting for the go-ahead to start setting up.
Meeting Balloonist Tom Jones
While we were waiting for the winds to die down, I struck up a conversation with one crew member, Tom Jones (yes, that is his real name), who has been crewing hot air balloons for 22 years, and was attending the festival as part of the Candy Corn crew. Like most enthusiasts, he was happy to share some of his knowledge and answer a few of my questions about the hobby he obviously loves.
Tom Jones, and his calling card from Candy Corn, the balloon he was crewing.
It only takes minutes to inflate the balloons – made with ‘ripstop’ nylon fabric that weighs about 200 pounds
Ballooning is a Labour of Love
Tom explained that above all (pardon the pun), hot air ballooning is a labour of love for pilots and crew, where pride and skill play a big part, since these festivals typically have accuracy competitions that test the pilot’s ability to get as close as possible to a randomly-selected target on the ground. (Pilots fly overhead and drop a bean bag as close as possible to the target bullseye). Their motivation is more bragging rights than prize money, though, because the winner’s spoils are minimal. And at an average cost of $30,000 – $50,000 for a new balloon, these exhibitions are definitely more about sharing a passion with other hobbyists than it is about any ROI.
Baskets weigh about 250 pounds fully loaded with tanks, and are made of wicker because of its flexibility and repair-ability.
A special guest we all remember from Saturday morning commercials. I couldn’t get enough, either!
And then there is the weather: conditions have to be just right before pilots can take off, since too much wind or threatening skies can ground the whole show for hours, even days – making this as frustrating a hobby as any other that requires Mother Nature’s cooperation. But the reward is the opportunity to take to the air in a fragile basket, lifted by nothing more than hot air, and enjoy a view from above as you float in the company of dozens of other colourful neighbours.
As for the rest of us on the ground? Until I can actually get inside one of those wicker baskets for myself, (and I will, one day), I’ll have to content myself with the view from below – a perspective which has its own rewards. Because just like watching a fireworks display with its spectacle of colour, I couldn’t help but stare at the skies, mouth open, smiling and pointing as another rainbow-coloured creation levitated in front of me – making me feel just like a kid again.
And if that doesn’t lift you up, I don’t know what will.
Lift off!
So close but worlds away.
A rainbow of a different sort fills the skies.
TIP: There are hot air balloon festivals held all around the world, including Germany, China, and the largest one in Albuquerque, New Mexico that takes place in October. So if you are interested in learning where they are, just Google your destination – chances are there is a festival closer than you think.
Dusk falls as the last of the balloons drifts by.
Jane Canapini is a member of the Travel Media Association of Canada and the North American Travel Journalists Association. She established GrownupTravels.com in 2014 to share information and tips based on personal experience so her readers could get the most out of their travels.
We have a hot air balloon festival in my home town, it’s always so much fun to see them all float up.
Lucky for you – It took me 50+ years to see my first one!
Love, love, love hot air balloon rides! We had an amazing journey in Cappadocia, Turkey that still remains one of my best travel memories. Thanks for sharing all the great photos and info.
I have that do do on my list when I visit Turkey, as well!
2014 marked my first two balloon flights: Scottsdale and Kenya. I am hooked. I would go again in a heartbeat. I really enjoyed your post!!
Thank you, Marilyn!
We used to have a hot air balloon festival here in Daejeon, but alas, it seems to have gone the way of the dodo bird. I was lucky enough to do a hot air balloon ride over the ancient city of Bagan in Myanmar a few years ago. That really was the thrill of a lifetime!
It seems we always do these types of activities in exotic places, doesn’t it?
These photos are wonderful and this looks like so much fun – if I didn’t have such a fear of heights. I suppose I would force myself if all those people around me were enjoying themselves so much 🙂
My husband is afraid of heights, but he’s often willing to try something if the reward is worth it, and I think he’d be game for this for the aerial photo opps if nothing else!
It’s time for me to see Up! again, too. But I have NO interest in getting into a hot air balloon basket, even thought I enjoyed your photographs very much.
The perspective from the ground is pretty impressive in its own right, Carole. That’s what makes these so great for everyone.
I’ve been on hot air balloons in Scottsdale, Arizona and Tanzania. Love your photos! And how great that you were able to speak to an "insider."
Next time, I plan to be the true ‘insider’!
I’ve been in a balloon once in Ouray, Colorado and though fun, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. I still love watching them fly. They used to go by our home in Boulder every Sunday morning – and scare the dog.
Funny! I guess your dog wasn’t impressed either!
Going up in a balloon is definitely on our bucket list. Don’t know why we haven’t managed to do it yet.
Me too, I need to make it a priority.
Great photos. I’ve attended a hot air balloon festival in Arizona and it was a lot of fun.
They really are such a simple way to enjoy a late afternoon. Just colour and peaceful floating balloons.
I grew to love hearing the unmistakeable sound of hot air expelled from big balloons drifting over my home near Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota – a popular summer weekend activity. Looking up to see one skimming the treetops was equal parts delight and apprehension. They seemed to go so low and the colors were so bright and happy! Fun post!
It seemed like the whole town of Midland looks for the balloons even if they aren’t at the fairgrounds – waiters were coming out of restaurants to look at the balloons floating overhead – it’s just a pretty thing to see in the sky.
Love the pictures! We did attend the balloon festival in Albuquerque New Mexico in 2010 and it was great. Before that I was ho-hum on balloons, but seeing the dedication and the work that goes into the balloons and the show, I became a fan.
Nice! I think they do one in White Sands, too, which would be great to see against all that sparkling gypsum!