This report was filed by Phil Clinger - the pictures he included would not copy over so you will have to wait until he resends them in jpeg format. Until then, enjoy............
In keeping with the mission of the FAYA, the Flag City Balloonfest had met all of the sanctioning requirements by the end of the media flight on Friday morning. Eight balloons launched from Emory Adams field for a short but spectacular flight to the East. Most all of us landed in a couple of beautiful yards with nice short grass and happy landowners. However, it was not until most of us were at breakfast that the magnificence of the landing site was understood. As we were ordering our breakfast (about an hour after we packed up) I received a call from Jody Leatherberry wanting to know how to get to propane (he sometimes needs help getting to the target too). When I inquired as to if they had been lost, he explained that they had been at the TIKI BAR. Of course I have no idea why I would not have expected anything less than for Jody to land at Margaritaville, Ohio. But regardless, the Leatherberry crew had managed to land at what would become the weekend’s premier FAYA gathering location.
Little did Jody’s gracious hosts know what they were in for, but hey, if ya got a Tiki Bar in the back yard, ya kinda have to expect it. With Friday evenings ballooning activities cancelled, several FAYA representatives made there way over to Jack & Bonnie’s Tiki Bar and we made ourselves a party. Before the evening was over there was a lot less left to drink in Ohio, some extra decorations behind Jack’s bar (ask the girls), and a number of footprints on the tables. All indicators that the FAYA was taking Findlay by storm. (Of course the real storm was to come on Monday.)
With not enough time between the end of the party and the rapidly approaching morning briefing, We headed back to our spectacular accommodations at the Findlay Inn and Conference Center. I am still not sure what I said when my alarm went off later that morning, but I am sure it shouldn’t be repeated here.
The Saturday morning darkness gave way to a wonderful sunrise and great flying weather. The tired, but functional, competition director called a Gordon Bennett Memorial and a Multiple Judge Declared goal. The early guys had the advantage as the left started to dissipate but there was still an easy high road to take between the first and second targets. With numerous great marker drops Debby Young led the pack after a 4.64m drop at the Gordon Bennett and a 0.22m drop at the Multiple Judge.
The great Saturday weather brought a record crowd to the event and the parking lot was full about an hour before the scheduled flight. The evening’s weather was not conducive to competition with pending rain, however, the pilots put on a great show with a mass launch from the field and an extremely rare evening “box.” Several pilots including Shawn Raya and Joe Zvada landed back at the field after a lengthy flight. Joe was able to make four passes over the field before landing to the crowds delight – if they only knew how unusual it was to have this kind of weather. After the flight we had an amazing balloon glow anchored around our two flag balloons “Freedom” and “American Rocket.”
Saturday night brought a much larger crowd to the Tiki Bar as the word spread that the FAYA was having another meeting. Jack was presented with an autographed Flag City Balloonfest shirt and given an honorary membership to the FAYA. Before leaving later that night (or morning) we promised to visit Jack again next year at the 9th annual Flag City Balloonfest.
For more pictures of the event visit: http://www.pbase.com/flagcity/root
Sunday morning we awoke to foul weather and by briefing time the rain was coming down. Little did anyone know just how much rain Findlay was about to get. The briefing was cancelled but almost every pilot stayed for the awards brunch and enjoyed a great meal followed by a video of the event that will be mailed to all of the pilots. After doing her rain dance all night, Debby Young was officially announced as the 2007 Flag City Balloonfest Champion.
Many thanks to the sponsors, volunteers, committee, pilots, and crews that make this event the highlight of the year in the Findlay community.
In keeping with the mission of the FAYA, the Flag City Balloonfest had met all of the sanctioning requirements by the end of the media flight on Friday morning. Eight balloons launched from Emory Adams field for a short but spectacular flight to the East. Most all of us landed in a couple of beautiful yards with nice short grass and happy landowners. However, it was not until most of us were at breakfast that the magnificence of the landing site was understood. As we were ordering our breakfast (about an hour after we packed up) I received a call from Jody Leatherberry wanting to know how to get to propane (he sometimes needs help getting to the target too). When I inquired as to if they had been lost, he explained that they had been at the TIKI BAR. Of course I have no idea why I would not have expected anything less than for Jody to land at Margaritaville, Ohio. But regardless, the Leatherberry crew had managed to land at what would become the weekend’s premier FAYA gathering location.
Little did Jody’s gracious hosts know what they were in for, but hey, if ya got a Tiki Bar in the back yard, ya kinda have to expect it. With Friday evenings ballooning activities cancelled, several FAYA representatives made there way over to Jack & Bonnie’s Tiki Bar and we made ourselves a party. Before the evening was over there was a lot less left to drink in Ohio, some extra decorations behind Jack’s bar (ask the girls), and a number of footprints on the tables. All indicators that the FAYA was taking Findlay by storm. (Of course the real storm was to come on Monday.)
With not enough time between the end of the party and the rapidly approaching morning briefing, We headed back to our spectacular accommodations at the Findlay Inn and Conference Center. I am still not sure what I said when my alarm went off later that morning, but I am sure it shouldn’t be repeated here.
The Saturday morning darkness gave way to a wonderful sunrise and great flying weather. The tired, but functional, competition director called a Gordon Bennett Memorial and a Multiple Judge Declared goal. The early guys had the advantage as the left started to dissipate but there was still an easy high road to take between the first and second targets. With numerous great marker drops Debby Young led the pack after a 4.64m drop at the Gordon Bennett and a 0.22m drop at the Multiple Judge.
The great Saturday weather brought a record crowd to the event and the parking lot was full about an hour before the scheduled flight. The evening’s weather was not conducive to competition with pending rain, however, the pilots put on a great show with a mass launch from the field and an extremely rare evening “box.” Several pilots including Shawn Raya and Joe Zvada landed back at the field after a lengthy flight. Joe was able to make four passes over the field before landing to the crowds delight – if they only knew how unusual it was to have this kind of weather. After the flight we had an amazing balloon glow anchored around our two flag balloons “Freedom” and “American Rocket.”
Saturday night brought a much larger crowd to the Tiki Bar as the word spread that the FAYA was having another meeting. Jack was presented with an autographed Flag City Balloonfest shirt and given an honorary membership to the FAYA. Before leaving later that night (or morning) we promised to visit Jack again next year at the 9th annual Flag City Balloonfest.
For more pictures of the event visit: http://www.pbase.com/flagcity/root
Sunday morning we awoke to foul weather and by briefing time the rain was coming down. Little did anyone know just how much rain Findlay was about to get. The briefing was cancelled but almost every pilot stayed for the awards brunch and enjoyed a great meal followed by a video of the event that will be mailed to all of the pilots. After doing her rain dance all night, Debby Young was officially announced as the 2007 Flag City Balloonfest Champion.
Many thanks to the sponsors, volunteers, committee, pilots, and crews that make this event the highlight of the year in the Findlay community.
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