Balloonists annually dot the skyline in West Virginia
For 20 years, balloonists have used hot air to add bright color to the cool air in the skies over Morgantown, W.Va. Last weekend, 40 balloonists from West Virginia, Pennsylvania and at least four or five other states kept the tradition alive during the 20th annual Mountaineer Balloon Festival, held at Mylan Park.
Although inclement weather forced the cancellation of Saturday’s events, the balloonists enjoyed sunny skies Friday and Sunday, showing off their colorful flying machines and competing for prizes in races each day.
While the balloons vary in price, some flyers can invest upwards of $50,000 in a balloon and related equipment, including a vehicle and trailer to haul it, according to Mark Wise, director of the Morgantown Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners (BOPARC), which organizes the festival.
The competitions function like “hound and hare” races that originated in England, Wise said. A balloonmeister takes off, and the other competitors search for his air current in an attempt to follow him. The balloonmeister will land and set a target on the ground, and the racers must drop beanbags onto the target to score points and win.
An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people attended the three-day event, according to BOPARC’s Mel Burch.
“People do look forward to it every year,” Burch said.