More than 20 balloon pilots, aided by volunteers, took part in the festival, where onlookers watched as they unfurled their “envelopes” - as the balloon is called - across the runway. Volunteers had to hold tight to baskets or gondolas and ropes as the balloons were inflated.Rita Graham had attended an out-of-state balloon festival, and said that “Being out at night, seeing the fire, for all the little kids to get up close” is indescribable. “Obviously, ballooning has a following... there’s no such thing as a bad seat for something going up in the air.”DJ Bruce Barrios played the perfect tunes for up-up-and-awaying, and the crowd was reluctant to leave when the festival closed for the evening. But early risers were back at 6 a.m. Saturday when Supervisor Kathy Long welcomed visitors and launched the Hare and Hound Race. “The sky is full of balloons,” and the early morning haze of recent weeks burned off for the launch. “The clouds parted, the sun came out and it’s good morning Santa Paula.”Mayor Gonzales said he hopes that event becomes an annual one: “It brings so much variety to Santa Paula; this is really unique. And the looks on the kids’ faces are worth a million.”“This event cross-pollinates with the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula and the airport,” said Councilman Procter, as the “Holly Rollers” played in the background for Saturday’s crowd. “It’s a real positive.”The festival “exceeded everyone’s expectations,” said Limoneira Company President/CEO Harold Edwards, with the City of Santa Paula an event co-sponsor. “Everyone is having a great time, even the balloonists.”And there were those who watched the event from their own homes, many of whom staged parties. “People all over town were watching this morning from their yards,” noted Edwards, who had ridden in a balloon during the Hare and Hound Race.“This has been fabulous and we want it to be even bigger and better next year,” noted Santa Paula Airport Association President Rowena Mason.Pilot Dean Davis took the $2,500 first place in the Hare and Hound Race, where balloonists vie to drop their markers closest to a ground target. Dale Wong was second, winning $1,500, and the third prize of $1,000 was awarded to Pat Nilz.As with all balloon events there were some glitches. Two balloons landed at Hillview Estates on West Telegraph Road, and another came down in a nearby parking lot.Overall, organizer Carla Edwards said Monday, “We thought the turnout was fantastic; as a festival entity we’re ecstatic. The community reception for the balloon pilots and volunteers was fantastic.”The inaugural event drew visitors from throughout Southern California “driving specifically to see the balloons in Santa Paula... and the comments we heard were that people loved it. Balloons make everybody happy; they’re so visually dramatic. The glow was packed with people, the balloons up, the music going... it was great for Santa Paula.”Edwards said that thanks on behalf of the festival must be given to the Santa Paula Airport and the “entire community, not only for their support and attendance but their patience as we got it going” over the almost six-month planning period. “We couldn’t have done it without every member of the community being flexible and supportive... and we ask people to stay tuned for Citrus Classic 2009, when it will be bigger and better.”
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Sushi, The Flying Goldfish lives on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. She holds 100,000 cubic feet of hot air and is tall as an 8 story building. Her tail is 36 feet tall and her kissable lips are 13 1/2 feet wide. Sushi has flown in ballooning events across the United States. Her pilot is Katie Griggs and Crew Chief Forrest Griggs love to share Sushi with her adoring fans as they did Friday evening during the “Glow” at the Classic Balloon Festival held at Santa Paula Airport. Her website is www.sushi-balloon.com. (Photo by Don Johnson) |
Balloon Festival attended by thousands
July 30, 2008
Citrus Classic Balloon Festival off to a flying start with inaugural event
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesSanta Paula might just garner a new nickname, the Hot Air Balloon Capital of the World, after the inaugural Citrus Classic Balloon Festival brought thousands of people to the Santa Paula Airport Friday night and early Saturday morning.Those living in the area got an extra treat when they were able to observe brightly colored balloons flying high over the city starting early Friday morning, the gently moving orbs with the distinctive intermittent “Whoosh!” of their propane gas heaters adding to the floating show in the sky. Friday afternoon a crowd was waiting for the official opening of the Citrus Classic.“It’s very exciting,” volunteer and City Councilman Dr. Gabino Aguirre noted as the crowd swelled. “I went up in a balloon this morning... it was spectacular!”Spectacular it was, with a display of fantasy balloons for the children ranging from a panda to a witch and even a kissing fish that were featured in the “glow,” which brought tears to Allison Connors’ eyes. “It’s just so beautiful,” Connors, a resident of Camarillo, noted as her 3-year-old son Colin squealed with delight as the flame from the propane tanks lit the interior of the balloons for the wonderful show of lights and balloons set to music.“The darker it gets the better it gets,” balloon master Steve Wilkinson promised the crowd as the orbs were being inflated a little after schedule due to winds.The scene of the Classic featured vendors selling balloon-related items as well as arts and crafts, face painting, information, and food, the latter caught by surprise - and short - by Friday’s crowd of more than 5,000 people. “We’re really happy to see so many people,” said Brenda Padgett of Heritage Do It Best Hardware, who added that she expected to make the most sales as people left at the end of the evening.Mayor Bob Gonzales said he didn’t take a pre-festival balloon flight. “There’s a weight limit,” he noted with a laugh, but “I did see them flying this morning east to west... it was breathtaking.”Councilman John Procter, who acted as the event’s master of ceremonies, said the crowd was another feather in the city’s cap of activities, and Peggy Higgins said “I really like that it has room to grow.”Business was also brisk at the Citrus Classic Art Gallery, where photos and art of local scenes, including hot air balloons, meant many visitors. “This is really exciting,” said Santa Paula California Oil Museum General Manager Jeanne Orcutt, who noted, “Tons of people have come to our booth,” featuring information and gifts.“We took the train and didn’t know we were coming out here,” said a delighted Lori Beasley of Simi Valley. Lori’s husband nodded and smiled as Lori proclaimed the festival the “bitchenest thing ever!”“It’s going to be fabulous and a lot of fun,” said volunteer Sally Caulfield who was dressed in her citrus colored festival shirt. Betsy Blanchard Chess and her husband Dick of Ventura agreed that the festival is “a great event for Santa Paula... and you couldn’t ask for better weather,” a Santa Paula constant.“I see a large, well-balanced crowd,” said volunteer Connie Tushla. “Carla (Edwards, who organized the festival) deserves a lot of credit.”“Santa Paula: on the map!” proclaimed Supervisor Kathy Long. “I’m so excited about this and I’ll be back at 6 a.m. Saturday” for the liftoff of the Hare and Hound Race.“This town seems to have something going on every weekend,” said Early May Randall of Santa Paula.“Santa Paula needs more events like this,” noted Helen Gunderson, who added a cheery “Go Santa Paula!”
