Old Town Clovis hosts 42nd Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly

Local vendors and hot air balloon enthusiasts began gathering around 5 a.m. in Old Town Clovis for the 42nd annual ClovisFest, Oct. 29. The event kicked off with the typical hot air balloon fun fly that saw 10 balloons launch into the sky that was lit by the sun rising over the Sierra Nevadas.

The morning air was brisk as cars looped around the street corner waiting to fill the Clovis rodeo grounds. This year the Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly was hosted by Kaiser Permanente.

Hot air balloon flight can be a risky hobby. The wind can be impossible to predict sometimes, and the wind is everything for a hot air balloon. With just a propane tank and hot air, hot air balloons rely solely on wind conditions. For many, ballooning is a unique experience.

FC home economics teacher Kimberly Bell was proposed to on a hot air balloon. She remembers being very excited to go up into the air. She had no idea that her husband was going to propose that day. Hot air balloons always remind her of that day.

“Going up in the balloon was very peaceful and quiet,” Bell said. “Until the blower would come on and they balloon would rise. I was so excited to just be up there. There was a reporter with us in the balloon but I had no clue what was coming. Hot air balloons hold a special place in my heart.”

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The annual Fun Fly is not a new event by any means. Some balloonists recall attending the event before it was held at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds. Dan Gilbert has been flying hot air balloons for 15 years and participates in the ClovisFest Fun Fly annually.

“I’ve been involved with flying hot air balloons for 15 years,” Gilbert said. “I have been a part of ClovisFest ever since its moved to the rodeo grounds, when it was over at Sierra Vista Mall, and actually way back when it was over at Fresno State. My main event is usually ClovisFest once a year.”

For many the Fun Fly has become a family tradition. Kaytlyn Cruiser, mother and event goer feels that everyone should take advantage of this yearly event. Cruiser enjoys being able get up early with her friends and family and watch hot air balloons.

“I think this is a great event that Clovis puts on and it is a good way for friends and family to get together,” Cruiser said. “This is our fourth year coming to the event. We kind of made it a family tradition to come to this every year. I look forward to it next year and hope it will be even better.”

Following the balloon launch, the Table Mountain Casino ClovisFest on Pollasky commenced. The eight block event lined streets with local vendors doing anything from selling products to booking trips to Las Vegas to having a petting zoo for children. This year the event saw a new addition of the International Village hosted my PG&E,  featuring different global cultures.

Sharing their family’s heritage and culture is very important to some. ClovisFest made the addition this year to encourage diversity amongst the vendors. Tino Ornelas was working as a dancer for his Polynesian booth. He believes that it is important for ClovisFest to include other cultures so people can learn about things they did not know before.

“We are coming here with the Polynesian Club of Fresno to express our culture with the city of Clovis,” Ornelas said. “I think that this sheds more light on the culture of the islands. It teaches people about different cultures and aspects of society. We all come from somewhere and I think it is important to not forget it that and express it.”

Clovis resident and annual ClovisFest visitor Raymond Willet looks forward to coming to the yearly event. One of his favorite things to do is just people watch. Willet likes seeing all the happy families, and smiling faces.

“I first decided to come to ClovisFest when I saw all the hot air balloons flying over my house,” Willet said. “I have made it a priority to come every year since I first saw the balloons. The event can be fun for everyone which is one of the reasons I like it so much. It is fun to see all the interesting things that happen during the Fest.”

ClovisFest is a way for many small local businesses to get exposure. Magdalena Sharp from Munch N’ Grub was attending ClovisFest for the second time. Sharp sees the event as a way to support the local community.

“Our booth is munch and grub,” Sharp said. “It is tender brisket beef jerky as well as a crunchy corn product. I enjoy ClovisFest because it not only supports the local businesses but it also gives families something fun to do on the weekend.”

ClovisFest provides a family friendly atmosphere for event goers from all over the state. If you missed out this year, be sure to attend the event next year.

Clovis Fest showcases colorful balloons

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For last year’s coverage of ClovisFest read about it here.

These writers can reached via Twitter: @phillip11499 and @bradendbell.