Watching the 39th Great Forest Park Balloon Race from Art Hill as the balloons flew above the flags from "America's Heartland Remembers," made Saturday afternoon's experience very special and extremely poignant.
There was a steady breeze at first causing the balloons to drift northward. Due to warnings of possible severe weather, several participants elected to abandon the race shortly after lift off, with several setting down nearby in Forest Park, and others, I learned later, in the 5700 block of Page.
The Curves balloon hovered above the tree line near the handball courts and then landed alongside several others, to the thrill of the spectators who were able to give the balloonists a hand, below.
John Marlow, the president of the event, has been a friend forever and lives in the CWE. After last year's post recording the 38th year, John (always brutally honest) emailed that the pictures I took were just so-so—and he was right (this year better camera…and vantage point). I hope he thinks this year's account is an improvement. Nonetheless, hats off to John, his teammates, and all the participants, many of whom travel long distances to take part in the Great Forest Park Balloon Race.