The balloons are arriving for the Great Balloon Race, part of the Kentucky Derby festival that goes on for several weeks each year here in the Louisville area prior to the actual horse race (which is on May 3rd). There will be a "Balloon Glow" or display of the balloons all lit up and inflated at the Fairgrounds tonight after dark, and the race is tomorrow at 7am (weather permitting).
Balloon-chasing. I stopped at the intersection to take this one.
The Sam's Club balloon, freshly landed.
An informed expert gives his opinion to the local media.
The US Bank balloon touching down.
These guys already have things well under control...
...this one looks like it'll take a bit more work.
Pack it up and move it out!
All in all, this was a wonderful surprise and a fantastic beginning to a Friday.
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Comments: 24
It was great fun, especially being right there in my neighborhood.
great photos... nice way to start a day... Blessings...
I used to work with a guy who flew a hot air balloon - he always promised he was going to take me for a ride. Never happened though.
What was frustrating was that I got over to the park with camera in hand, got about three pictures, and then the batteries ran out. So I had to dash back home for freshly-recharged ones.
It was a fun way to wake up that day. Unfortunately they didn't end up having the balloon race the next morning after all, as winds were too high. So I got lucky...
Can't blame them really, but if you want to look, pull over!
Somehow that always seemed appropriate... large quantities of hot air being required in both cases.