Traditional event continues to inspire spectators
Hot air balloons launched into clear, blue skies before hundreds of awestruck spectators at the Rodeo Grounds , Sep. 20-21. This spectacle is an annual tradition of the ClovisFest, which is sponsored by the Clovis Chamber of Commerce and has been in commission since 1974.
Unfortunately on the third day of the ClovisFest unfavorable windy conditions prohibited balloons from taking to the skies. However, this did not stop balloonists from inflating their balloons on the ground and allowing, even for a short while, the people of Fresno to experience the majesty of these aircrafts.
Kim Ward, ’15, attended ClovisFest as a spectator and tagged along with the journalism team during the event. She was disappointed at the outcome of the balloon take off, the weather and thought the early hours were hard.
“The ClovisFest was interesting; there were definitely good and bad parts about it,” Ward said. “Waking up at 5 a.m. was rough, and the balloons not taking off was the bad part. However, I enjoyed going around with The Feather people and talking to the balloonist. The balloonist are really interesting because they do it for a reason and I think it would be really fun to be one. The fact that they do that for a living is crazy.”
On the first two days of Clovis Fest twelve balloons were prepped at 6 a.m. and scheduled to float out into the frigid air by 7 a.m. Spectators gathered by the hundreds at the Rodeo Grounds in order to witness the balloons colorful display. While waiting audience members could purchase a warm and flavorful cinnamon roll or a cup of coffee from the award winning Country Fair Cinnamon Role Truck which has been in business since 1978.
The soon to be married Evelyn Rocca and Mike O?Neil were attendees of the Balloon Fest. Mike became interested in the balloons after seeing another air show in the Fresno area. Despite the cold and early hours, he was excited to see the balloons.
“That was our first time going to the balloon event,” O?Neil said. “We have gone to a balloon festival in the Fresno District with fifty or one hundred balloons, so we were excited to see what this one would be like. We decided to wake up early, even though it?s cold, to find out.”
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Those involved in the prepping and chasing of the balloons were present before the sun rose in a collective effort to ensure safety and a pleasant experience for all people present. This involves judging weather conditions and the intensity of the wind as well as properly setting up the balloon itself. Many of the balloonists have been involved with hot air balloons and this particular event for years or even decades.
Pilot and hot air balloon expert John Hessen is a 10-year veteran of the ClovisFest. Hessen thinks that giving the passengers and spectators a new and amazing experience is the most rewarding part of his profession. He also says that one of the only down sides of his job is when the balloons cannot go up.
“My favorite part about this event is the people,” Hessen said. “We really enjoy the festival because it is small and we have been doing this event for the last ten years. The best part is taking new people up in the balloons. The worst part would be not flying.”
Despite, the chilly weather and the failed launch of the balloons, the ClovisFest pulled off a record attendance rate. These people enjoyed over two hundreds unique vending booths including art, food and face painting. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also brought animals for adoptions and live entertainment was provided for attendants? enjoyment.
For more information on the hot air balloon festival and the ClovisFest be sure to visit the previous ClovisFest article and visit experienceclovis.com.
For more features, read the Sept. 25 article, Riding community grows within Central Valley.
Follow The Feather via Twitter and Instagram: @thefeather and @thefeatheronlilne. This writer can be reached via Twitter: @skylerklee and via Email: [email protected]
