Hudson balloon festival takes flight this weekend

[unhappycamper]

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20150812/NEWS/150818386



Pilot and event organizer Bob Martel guides his balloon "Harmony" over the Fort Meadow Reservoir in Marlborough during the Hudson Elks Hot Air Balloon Festival in August 2009.

Hudson balloon festival takes flight this weekend
By Brad Avery/Daily News Staff
Posted Aug. 12, 2015 at 8:05 PM
Updated at 8:06 PM

HUDSON - As the sun comes up over the Hudson-Concord Elks Pavilion on Saturday morning, 13 balloon pilots will ignite their flames and soar into the sky. The occasion is the annual Balloons & Blues Festival, an afternoon full of music, food and hot air.

The crowd-favorite festival is expected to draw upwards of 3,000 spectators from around New England this weekend, said event organizer Bob Martel, a long-time hot air balloon pilot.

"There's awe and wonder about a balloon coming out of the sky," said Martel. "It's magical. I remember how excited I was as a kid when I first saw one. Now I get to see the wide-eyed smiles and excitement from the kids."

Due to weather conditions, the balloons will go up twice during the day - once during sunrise at 6 a.m., and once before sunset at 6 p.m. The colorful airships will soar above the pavilion for roughly an hour each time.

[chillfactor]

1. you haven't seen a REAL balloon festival....

until you come to Albuquerque New Mexico in October.....every year over 500 balloonist take part...from all over the world...it is breath-taking..I work in the food tent that feeds the balloonists and their crews.....so I have the opportunity to meet crews from most of our states and world-wide...

[unhappycamper]

2. A balloon ride is still on my bucket list.

I crossed off jumping out of a perfectly good airplane a few years ago.