The LAKER /Lutz NEWS INSIDE: Directories, Classifieds, Games & More
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SEPTEMBER 24, 2014
FRED BELLET/PHOTOS
A hefty dose of rain on the first night of the Festival of Flight left puddles in the exhibitor area where a Navy training plane flown in by Warbird Adventures sits atop a mirror reflection in the leftover rainwater.
The balloonist of the Re/Max balloon fires up some hot air into the nylon orb as other Festival of Flight balloons do the same at sunset.
Balloons glow despite weather By B.C. Manion
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Brooks Baisley, 4, watches some of the successful flights by his sister, Abby Baisley, 7, who sailed a toy airplane in the exhibitor area of the Festival of Flight.
Festival of Flight-goers watch and wait as limp nylon bags become colorful hot air balloons Saturday night.
Flynn Tharaldson, 3, gets a bird’s eye view of the different airplanes in the exhibitor’s area while carried by his dad, Drew Tharaldson of Land O’ Lakes. The two were headed to viewing a single-engine Stearman airplane.
The threat of rain couldn’t keep spectators away or the balloons from hitting the sky during the second Festival of Flight at Tampa North Aero Park in Lutz. The event featured 22 balloons, including a flying pig, a giant clown and a pumpkin. Doug Gannt flew the pig, known as Ham-Let. He came in from Taiwan to take part in the festival. Admission was free and parking was $2. The balloon glow planned for Friday night had to be cancelled because of weather and the balloon ascension on Saturday
morning was cancelled too, for the same reason, said festival director Jessica Warren. But the weather cleared enough to have the balloon glow on Saturday night and the balloon ascension on Sunday morning, she added. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, Warren estimated that about 7,000 people turned out, filling five parking lots and causing people to park along the road. Those attending could take rides on balloons, helicopters and other aircraft, could purchase food and listen to live music. Warren won’t let stormy weather dim her enthusiasm for the event. “We’re already planning for next year,” she said. Abby Baisley, 7, prepares to launch a toy airplane at the Festival of Flight last Saturday. She was there with her parents, Jeremy and Lisa Baisley of Lutz, as well as her 4-yearold little brother, Brooks.
