DECATUR – We rolled out at O-dark thirty Saturday heading to Decatur for the 2013 Alabama Jubilee Balloon Festival. It was cool crisp spring morning that just makes you feel alive and well at that time of the morning. We put the hammer down and got to Point Mallard at about 6:15 a.m. and the Hare for the Hare and the Hound balloon race was just getting ready to be inflated. This year the Pepsi Balloon got the honor of being the Hare and in no time the crew got it inflated and they were getting airborne. Once the Hare balloon had cleared the field, then the other crews started their wind machines to inflate the balloons. The crews have to get the the balloons fully inflated before they can start feeding hot air in the balloon. Once the hot air process is started, then it doesn’t take long for the balloon to go vertical and be ready for take off.
If you’ve never been to a hot air balloon festival then it’s just hard to describe the fun of seeing the balloons going from the back of a cargo trailer to rising in the air like a slow lumbering giant of a multi-color cloud. Truly as site to behold.
The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Festival at Point Mallard Park is an annual event and has been flying for 36 years. This year, the Alabama Jubilee featured sixty balloons from around the United State. The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic is an event that has drawn thousands of spectators every year, however, even with their long history, they get many new people every year. Many arrive during the middle of the day and often their first question is: ‘Where are the balloons?’ Since hot air balloons are aircraft that go where the wind takes them pilots are at the mercy of mother nature for when they can get these machines into the air. The best times for hot air balloon flights are early in the mornings and late in the afternoons because at those times of day the winds are calmest and most predictable.
The Alabama Jubilee is one of the few balloon events remaining that allows the public to walk on the field during balloon launches and operations. The public is even encouraged to ask pilots questions and to get close to the balloons. Some spectators even get pulled into crewing spontaneously! However, please remember if you do go, while you are on the field please follow the rules and comply with all pilot requests, do not touch the balloon equipment or walk over the tether lines unless you are cleared to do so by the pilot or crew members.
If you didn’t make it this year, then mark your calenders for the 2014 event.
Tips to get the most out of the Alabama Jubilee:
- Balloons fly early in the morning and late afternoon. Morning flights begin at 6:00a.m.; Afternoon 6 ~ 7:30p.m.
- Tethered rides require a signed a waiver of lability; children 19 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Many pilots will not tether children three and under. The loud burner noise can damage their ears.aid flights are not sold during the Jubilee. If you would like to purchase a ride for another time there are many pilots that sell them; please visit The Heart of Dixie Balloon Club for more information.
- Dress appropriately and wear sunscreen.
- There is no smoking on the launch field. Balloons use liquid propane as fuel, which is highly flammable.
- Dogs and pets are welcome but must be leashed and bagged after.
