Bridge City hosts balloon festival
Across the Neches River and over Veterans Memorial Bridge, the sky in Bridge City was illuminated in an unorthodox way. Combustion-fueled balloons painted the landscape in this Southeast Texas town.
Bridge City Elementary and Intermediate School held a Hot Air Balloon Glo Festival, Sept. 14. The festival included food trucks, vendor booths, live performances and, of course, hot air balloons.
The event was a fundraiser for the schools, and the community did not fail to show up. The line to ride one of the two balloons extended for a quarter mile. One could hear the “Ooh’s” and “ah’s” with every balloon that was inflated.
While the sunset stained the sky, the hot air balloon handlers were having trouble getting the two tethered behemoths in the air. It took about an hour and a half from the planned flight time beginning, but the balloons were finally able to rise.
Riding in the balloon’s basket was thrilling as it rose 40 feet in the air. The rocking back and forth made for a shaky ride, but once in the air, one is at the mercy of the balloon.
“One off, one on,” the operator yelled. “If one person gets off, one needs to get on. Hurry!”
As well as the pair of balloons offering rides, seven out-of-state balloons were inflated but remained tethered to the ground. They were illuminated by multicolored lights.
“The balloons come from all over the place,” the announcer said. “Most of these balloons come from Shreveport and go on display all over the country.”
Once the light show started, the announcer gave out instructions. “All burn,” he said. And simultaneously, the balloons lit their burners.
“Candle burn,” the announcer said, and the balloons flickered their lights for the audience.
The light show continued until the balloons lost their steam and deflated.
It was an unorthodox festival in Southeast Texas, but also an unforgettable experience for most.
