The first event we attended was an evening glow that happens around six at night. The envelopes (balloons) are first laid out on the field that is 1200 X 2000 feet.

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A huge fan is then aimed into the envelope to begin filling it with air. Once filled, propane is used to heat the air so that the balloon will rise.

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Tonight featured the special shapes. The amazing thing here is they let you walk among the balloons and their crews - talk about up close and personal!

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Every so often there is a count down and all the balloons are lit at once. I'm trying my best to show you what went on but words and photos don't do it justice.

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All of the morning events happen early. The dawn patrol, a group of 6-12 balloons go up around 5:45 to determine wind patterns. At 7:00 the ascension begins. It takes about 1.5 - 2 hours for the 800-900 balloons to take to the air. This morning all the special shapes went up before the other colorful balloons.

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As you saw there were eagles and flowers and houses and witches. There were cows...

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...and bees that were actually two balloons connected by velcro who eventually separated.

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The winds were blowing toward our coach this morning. When we returned after being on the field there were still balloons going overhead. As a matter of fact, one landed right in the field next to where our coach was parked.

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Saturday morning found us back on the field for a mass ascension. There are a group of volunteers on the field who are called zebras (they wear black and white striped uniforms) who are in charge of telling a pilot when to leave the ground. As you can imagine, this is a responsible position because there are so many balloons.

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All balloons fly and in any order. You just can't imagine how the sky looks with so many colorful, unique balloons flying around.

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Al and I noticed a balloon being laid out that had a rather small crew. We went up and asked if they needed help. They said sure. It was really fun zeroing in on one balloon.

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After the balloon was in the air, we found out we had crewed for the President of the Board of Directors of the Fiesta!!

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Tonight found us back on the field for the Night Magic Glow. It was touch and go as to whether it would happen because of wind but finally the balloonists were given the go to inflate. Tryna started talking to a couple of crewmembers and before we knew it, we were helping again.

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Once the glow was over the envelope had to be laid out, burped of air and stuffed in its bag. Here Tryna and Suzy are helping get it into the bag.

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To us it looked like it would never fit. But then our coaches said it was "buns up" time. We all sat on the bag which compressed the envelope and made it fit nicely!!

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Each night ended with an incredible fireworks show. These were some of the most unique displays we had ever seen.

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