Balloon Festival

Last night we took the boys to the Plano Balloon Festival.

J has liked balloons ever since we read a Clifford book about a hot-air balloon.  (It's a phonics reader, so nothing outstanding in the plot!)

We weren't counting on the traffic hold-ups, so we missed seeing the balloons take off from the launch site, but we could see them as we walked the mile into the festival area.  It was 6pm and still 96*F (35*C)!  That's Texas for you!

There were thousands of people there, and lots of balloons (big and small).

We had our picnic tea and perused the band, while soaking up the atmosphere.  J got a free balloon, which he was very excited about and waved his hand so much that it flew away about 5 minutes after taking this picture!

We tried to stay for the 'glow' show, where the balloons are lit up by the fuel burning in the dark, but the boys got too antsy.  It was just as well we left when we did.  We got caught in the first of the traffic snarls as people left (still more were arriving - in a cooler 86*F/30*C evening) and it could have been MUCH worse.

Next year we'll try to get there a bit earlier.