Attend the Balloon Festival Plano
The Plano Balloon Festival is held every year in September (weather permitting) in Plano, Texas. It is one of the largest balloon festivals, with over 80,000 people attending yearly. The show is not only great for any balloon flying hobbyists, but it is also a philanthropic fundraising event for the city of Plano, Texas, with money being raised for a number of organizations. The Plano Balloon Festival 2011 dates are: September 16 through September 18.
History of Hot Air Balloon Attractions
It's been more than 220 years since the first hot air balloon was released into the sky. Two paper designers, the Montgolfier brothers, from Annonay, France, were inspired by the way smoke rises above a flame. Intrigued, the Montgolfier brothers decided to construct their first hot air balloon.
On June, 1783, the Montgolfier brothers were able to exhibit their discovery to the people. A diminutive unmanned hot air balloon was inflated over a hearth of burning straws and then released to take flight high above the town plaza. For their subsequent testing, they sent a number of animals, including a sheep and a chicken, aloft for a voyage of eight minutes to make sure that they came unharmed coming back from the “atmosphere”. When these animals returned unhurt, the sky was subsequently opened up to the human imagination.
Balloon Festival Plano Activities
The hot air balloons are the biggest draw that the festival offers. Starting in the early morning hours, 60 unique and colorful hot air balloons will litter the sky. The Plano Hot Air Balloon festival also has a segment where they showcase unique figures like animals, flowers, and notable infrastructures. Make sure to bring sunscreen, your family, and a camera to record these hot air balloons floating in the sky.
The Plano Balloon festival also hires sky divers for your enjoyment. Starting at 5 p.m. on September 16 through September 18, sky divers will fall from the sky and land right on the launching area, in front of spectators.
Hot Air Balloon Show: The Night Glow
One of the more notable parts of the balloon festival is the night glow shows. On Saturday and Sunday night, the Plano Balloon Festival will end the festival with a climactic event. The balloons will be set in the launch area, against the sunset. They will be fired up, but instead of ascending, the balloons will be secured to the ground. The hot air balloons look like huge night bulbs against the sunset, making for an ethereal ambiance.
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