By Kim Chiomento, News Editor, The Times
A festival volunteer works to help position a tethered balloon.
TOUGHKENAMON – The Chester County Balloon Festival went on, despite a very challenging weekend forecast. Tens of thousands of visitors, from across the region, came to Chester County’s New Garden Flying Field to be a part of the fun and support the 2015 festival beneficiary – The Chester County Hero Fund.
Now in its ninth year, the Festival has grown to include entertainment and activities for all ages including helicopter and tethered balloon rides, a zip line, scuba diving lessons, live bands, food vendors, shopping and informational sessions on various forms of flight.
A balloon being inflated and tested prior to flight.
Pilots, crews and balloons came from as far away as Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and New Jersey. With safety as a top priority, the challenging conditions of higher than acceptable winds and forecasted heavy storms kept many of the balloons grounded for the majority of the weekend. However, visitors did get to enjoy the popular, illuminated “balloon glow” Friday evening, and also experience tethered balloon, helicopter and plane rides during portions of the festival.
Festival attendees gearing up for scuba lessons.
The festival’s proceeds will help provide financial assistance to the families who are left with little or no support when an emergency responder loses their life, or is seriously injured, in the line of duty through its support of the Chester County Hero Fund.
Plans are already underway for a 2016 festival; with details being released soon. For more information, visit ccballoonfest.com.
