Harvard launches its first Hot Air Balloon Festival
The first Harvard Hot Air Balloon Fest is coming to the skies near you this weekend.
Depending upon the weather conditions, each morning and evening over the Labor Day weekend, 10 majestic hot air balloons are set to take flight as part of the festival.
Spectators will even have a chance to go up into the balloons as part of the festival if the weather cooperates and they are up for the adventure.
Festival planner Michael Kelly worked to bring this inaugural festival to Harvard after attending many in other areas over the years.
"I've been to a number of them and I always thought this would be a great opportunity for Harvard," said Kelly, an alderman in the city.
Kelly proposed the idea to the city's community events committee, and the proposal eventually made its way to the city council, which approved the Harvard Hot Air Balloon Fest last January.
Since then, Kelly said, teams of volunteers have been planning for the event, which kicks off on Friday evening, Sept. 2.
The first balloon launch is set to take place around 5:30 p.m. that evening.
If the weather is on target, the balloons will make a mass ascension from Harvard's Milky Way Park into the skies over Harvard around that time. They will be out for about an hour and then land back into the park at 300 Lawrence Road, where they will remain inflated for a balloon glow.
Spectators are welcome to walk around the balloon glow, which is expected to open to the public at about 7:15 p.m.
Four more launches are expected to follow on Saturday and Sunday mornings between 6:30 and 8 a.m., and then again on Saturday and Sunday evening.
"It is highly weather dependent," Kelly said. "They can only go when the weather is good, and because of the way the winds happen during the day, the balloons will only operate during the morning and the evening.
"We planned the festival over several days knowing this. Hopefully the weather is good and we will get all five launches in."
For the adventurous, the Harvard Balloon Fest is offering rides in the balloons.
Since the launches are dependent upon the weather, tickets for the rides are available at the park on the day of the event on a first-come basis at the festival ticket booth.
For morning rides, ticket sales will begin at 6 a.m. For evening rides, the sales start at 4 p.m.
There are two different types of rides being offered.
For a tamer adventure, there will be a tethered balloon ride, which will cost $20 per person.
In this ride, you'll go up several stories, but the balloon still will be attached to the ground, Kelly said.
For those looking for more excitement, you can go on an approximately hourlong balloon ride during the launches for $200 per person. There are about 15 slots for each of those launch rides, Kelly said.
Since the balloon launches will only take place during the morning and evening, the fest has other activities planned, Kelly said.
There will be an open-air craft market from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
There also will be inflatables and extreme rides from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with a bonus zip line ride on Friday evening, he said.
Live music will play from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday evening, and beginning at 2 p.m. into the evening on Saturday and Sunday.
There also will be food for sale and a beer tent.
Attendance at the event is free. There is a $5 parking charge. Balloon rides are a separate fee.
For anyone is interested, there also is camping available at the event.
For information visit harvardballoonfest.com/.
If you go
What: Harvard Balloon Fest
When: 4 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-4
Where: Milky Way Park, 300 Lawrence Ave., Harvard
Admission: free; $5 parking fee. Balloon rides available for a fee.
Details: <a href="http://harvardballoonfest.com/">harvardballoonfest.com/</a>