Balloonfest takes the journalist into the air | News, Sports, Jobs

We rushed forward and lifted the edge of the flaps of the balloon as it burned the heat from the burner, our balloon slowly filling with hot air following our neighbor’s.

The flames whipped through our hands, making my forearm sweat as my muscles strained to hold it in place – discomfort necessary for making the journey on foot. “Balloonfest, Airshow and much more” of the ground.

Soon after, the balloon floated in the sky and Edlinger flipped the pod over, uninvitedly telling us to jump in – and we did. I lost a camera lens cap when lifting my legs into the basket.

Later I found out that I was lucky. Hot air balloons are incredibly selective in the weather conditions they choose to ride. Many beginners often have to reprogram before they can take to the skies.

Jonathan bergmüller

I stood at 6 inches and kept my body weight lowered most of the time, as the mouth of the basket reached just below my hip. The other occupants were only slightly smaller and I was worried that a strong gust of wind would knock me down and knock me to the ground if he cared.

But as we hovered above the trees outside the perimeter of the Lycoming County Fairgrounds, all I could feel was comfort. Later, Edlinger explained that the basket and the balloon moved with the wind, which meant that we didn’t feel anything. Einstein’s rules of relativity went well on this journey.

I took photo after photo on our way into the cramped basket, grimacing and dodging my crown as he lit the burner for the altitude. We carried south of Hughesville, towards Clarkstown, with the wind.

Another passenger screamed as the basket skidded over the treetops in a clearing a few minutes along our journey – but the basket was barely jostled. We gained more elevation, passed Muncy Creek and Cox Run, before floating above a pumpkin patch, tracing a dotted pattern similar to orange skittles.

We slowly descended towards a farmer’s field touching Shoemaker Road outside of Clarkstown, the bottom of the basket brushing the top of the corn as it slid.

Jonathan bergmüller

We graced the road at that point and the basket skidded until it came to a stop on the gravel. He didn’t have a chance to break into the ranks on the other side of the road.

After that, Edlinger and the other two passengers left the basket, leaving me alone, camera around my neck, in the basket as it lifted off the ground. That was the scary part – being alone in the basket while I relied on the others to anchor me to the ground.

Edlinger asked me to pull the trigger on the burner to keep the flames going – keeping the balloon inflated long enough for the group to walk in the pod, I’m a passenger alone, to the chase van – the Edlinger’s car parked on Shoemaker Road.

When we were close enough to the van, we permanently ground the basket and let the balloon deflate before putting it away. We made a ten minute drive to Hughesville, talking and reflecting on the experience.

Saturday’s balloon launch is scheduled to begin at 6:45 am to 7:45 am, weather permitting, before the general public doors open at 10:00 am Saturday’s festivities will end at 7:00 pm with an air show. and a laser light show, while Sunday’s events end with a second airshow.

Jonathan bergmüller

The festival, hosted by the Rotary clubs of Montoursville, Muncy, Hughesville and Williamsport in the past, has now grown into a stand-alone 501 (c) (3) nonprofit.

Jonathan Bergmueller is excited to be back on the ground while covering courts, law enforcement and fire in Lycoming County.

Jonathan bergmüller