Table of Contents
- 1 What is a balloon competition?
- 2 How do balloon races work?
- 3 Where are the balloon festivals?
- 4 How do you host a balloon release?
- 5 How do hot air balloons descend?
- 6 Why is the balloon festival celebrated?
- 7 What can you do in place of a balloon release?
- 8 What do you release for a celebration of life?
What is a balloon competition?
Balloon competitions consist of winning one or more set “tasks”. There are many variations of the competition task but in nearly all cases they involve the balloonist throwing a lightly weighted streamer or marker as it is called at a predetermined target or “X”.
How do balloon races work?
Festival Tasks In Hare and Hounds, a single balloon (the hare) launches ahead of the others, lands and lays out a target. Once the remaining balloons (the hounds) launch, they search for the hare’s landing spot and drop a marker on the target. Points are awarded based on closest distance to the target centre.
What are ballooning goals?
For most competitive balloon flights, the goal is to fly as close as possible to one or more exact points called “targets”.
Where are the balloon festivals?
12 Amazing Hot Air Balloon Festivals Around the World
- Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off.
- The Great Reno Balloon Race.
- QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning.
- International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
- Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
- European Balloon Festival.
- Mondial Air Ballons.
How do you host a balloon release?
Count down out loud with your group of guests so that everyone releases their balloons at the same moment. You can send up a cheer, a prayer, or observe a moment of silence, depending on what the situation calls for. Clean up thoroughly. Wait for the balloons to rise up high, burst, and fall back down to the ground.
Where do released balloons go?
When helium filled balloons are handed out at public events, they usually come with a piece of string or ribbon attached. The attachment is either tied into the knot, or secured with a plastic disk. Either way, if these balloons are accidentally (or purposely) released, the attachment becomes litter and that’s bad.
How do hot air balloons descend?
Steering up and down is a straightforward process. The canopy of the hot air balloon is filled with hot air that lifts the balloon up. As the hot air cools, the balloon will descend. There is a vent in the balloon canopy that allows hot air to escape and this is another means for the balloon to descend.
Why is the balloon festival celebrated?
The Balloon Fiesta began in 1972 as the highlight of a 50th birthday celebration for 770 KOB Radio. Radio station manager Dick McKee asked Sid Cutter, owner of Cutter Flying Service and the first person to own a hot air balloon in New Mexico, if KOB could use his new hot-air balloon as part of the festivities.
Where is the biggest balloon festival in the world?
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico, USA. An event that takes place every October, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is said to be the biggest hot air balloon festival in the world.
What can you do in place of a balloon release?
8 Alternatives to Mass Balloon Releases and Sky Lanterns
- Bubbles! Divers love blowing bubbles underwater, and it’s just as fun topside.
- Confetti alternatives.
- Flying Wish Paper.
- Luminarias or reusable luminaries.
- Origami whales.
- Plant a tree or flowers.
What do you release for a celebration of life?
Display a photo memory board, a memorial table or a memorial DVD of images of your loved one doing what they enjoyed most. Photos, which capture a moment, often spark conversation and bring up forgotten memories. A balloon release is often a feature of a celebration of life ceremony, and a beautiful gesture.