The Great Prosser Balloon Rally

The Great Prosser Balloon Rally September 28 - 30, 2018

A Supplement to the Prosser Record-Bulletin and The Grandview Herald

September 26, 2018

2018 Winner of the Welcome to the 29th Annual Great Prosser Balloon Rally Photo and Poster Contest The balloon rally committee is excited to keep this family fun event in Prosser. We have worked hard to keep the traditions going, while trying to grow the rally and improve each year. We are looking for new volunteers to help us keep the traditions going and coordinate the event as it grows.

We are happy to have this event in our town and show off our beautiful area to all the visitors. If you see a balloon pilot, or one of our sponsors please tell them thank you for helping bring this wonderful event to town.

We have sunrise launches planned for Sept. 28th, 29th and 30th at the Prosser Airport, Weather Permitting. A Night Glow show has been planned for Saturday, Sept 29th at Art Fiker Stadium, and don’t forget to be there early to listen to some great music from the Bram Brata Steel Drum Band. All of the launches and night glow are dependent upon the weather.

We are looking forward to a great rally this year and are very thankful that Tim Gale has accepted our invitation to be our Balloonmeister.

We encourage the public to grab their cameras and come out and enjoy the early morning launches. The beauty of the balloons floating over the Yakima River is a sight that everyone should see. And don’t forget about the Night Glow, sponsored by PMH Medical Center. The Milne Kid Zone is another fun activity to enjoy at Night Glow, while the balloons prepare to light up.

The Great Prosser Balloon Rally is a very special event with a lot of tradition and history. Every year, it introduces a new generation of kids to hot air ballooning and sparks so many great questions and interests. We appreciate the support and effort throughout the community to help make this a wonderful event for Prosser every year.

Page 2 · Welcome

Ryan Rodruck

Front Cover Photographer

Index

Balloon Rally Event Schedule page 4 The Pilots and Their Balloons

Carmen Blakely - Terra Madre

Erik Bagdanowicz - Lighten Up page 5

Luke Cesnik - Freedom Flight

Kearny Davis - Mistress page 6

Roy Foote - Tahnimara Too

Tim Gale - Knight-N-Gale page 7

Myia Hackett - My Air Fly Air!

Laura Hancock - Morning Glory page 8

Stephanie Hughes - Spuds

Cheryl Isaacs - La Brisa Del Mar page 9

Mandy Johnson - Gunsmoke Gertie

Vic Johnson - Ohana Maka

Kemp Lindsey - Liberty Bell

Jack Loflin - Emerald page 11

Greg Miller - I’ll Fly Away 2

Koh Murai - Firenze page 12

Jesse Rafn - Boss Angell

McKenna Secrist - Endless Joy page 13

Terri Scholfield - Simpatico

Scott Shields- Renegade page 14

Larry Simburger - Starfire

Bill Woodhead - His Sky page 15 No Pets Please page 15 Crew Posts Why Aren’t the Balloons Flying?

Farmers Can Warn Off Landing Balloon Pilots page 17 Balloonist Prayer Alpaca Farm Open House page 18 2018 Balloonmeister ~ Tim Gale 2018 Night Glow Master of Ceremonies ~ Ben Riley page 19

Balloon Rally Committee Members 2018 Nikki Norby, Morgan Everett, Shirley Delaney, Kendall Murphey, Danielle Morrow, Lindsay Bardessono, Jacob VanPelt, Chelane Medley and Scott Keller

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Balloon Rally Event Schedule Friday, September 28, 2018

6:00 a.m.

• Balloonists prepare to launch from the Airport • Balloon Rally Memorabilia for sale at the Airport 6:30 a.m.

• Pilot Briefing in the Milne building on Haggarty Lane at the Airport 6:45 a.m. (approx. beginning times) • Fournier Media Day Flight - Sunrise Launches 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Balloon Rally Memorabilia for sale at Harvest Festival 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Harvest Festival in downtown Prosser

Saturday, September 29, 2018

5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

• Biscuits & Gravy Fundraiser Breakfast at Fire Station 6:00 a.m.

• Balloonists prepare to launch from the Airport • Balloon Rally Memorabilia for sale at the Airport • Continental Breakfast for sale by PEO Sisterhood at Airport 6:30 a.m.

• Pilot Briefing in the Milne building on Haggarty Lane at the Airport 6:45 a.m. (approx. beginning times) • Sponsor Appreciation Day Flight - Sunrise Launches 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

• Breakfast by National Honor Society at Keene-Riverview Elementary School 8:00 a.m. to Noon • Farmers’ Market (Library and City Park on 7th Street) 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Balloon Rally Memorabilia for sale at Harvest Festival 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Harvest Festival in downtown Prosser • Caren Mercer-Andreason Street Painting Festival in downtown Prosser

5:30 p.m.

• Night Glow, gates open at the Art Fiker Stadium • Balloon Rally Memorabilia on sale at Art Fiker Stadium at the front gate • Barbecue by Prosser 4H at the Stadium • Coffee, Cocoa, & Pop on sale by Prosser FFA at the Stadium 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

• Entertainment by Bram Brata Steel Drum Band Dusk • Night Glow begins at the Art Fiker Stadium

Sunday, September 30, 2018

6:00 a.m.

• Balloonists prepare to launch from the Airport • Balloon Rally Memorabilia for sale at the Airport 6:30 a.m.

• Pilot Briefing in the Milne building on Haggarty Lane at the Airport 6:45 a.m. (approx. beginning times) • Sunday Morning Flight - Sunrise Launches 8:00 a.m. to noon • All You Can Eat Breakfast at the Prosser Senior Center on 7th Street.

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• Harvest Festival in downtown Prosser • Caren Mercer-Andreason Street Painting Festival in downtown Prosser

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Managing Editor: Victoria Walker Distribution Manager: Scott Rupert Advertising Consultant: Dianne Buxton Public Notice Clerk: Suzie Zuniga Prosser Office Manager: Annette Jones Writer / Photographer: Brittnee Sanchez Writer / Photographer: Cesar Solis Production Manager: Rebecca Fink Writer / Photographer: Chuck Walker Production & Printing: Trudy Hatch www.thenewsatvalleypublishing.com

The Prosser Record-Bulletin 613 7th Street Prosser 509-786-1711 USPS 448-060

Page 4 · The Great Prosser Balloon Rally Schedule

The Grandview Herald 308 Division Street Grandview 509-882-3712 USPS 226-000

The Pilots and Their Balloons Carmen Blakely - Terra Madre Erik Bogdanowicz - Lighten Up Pilot Name: Erik Bogdanowicz Balloon Name: Lighten Up Sponsor: Fun Flyer Interesting Facts: Erik has been around ballooning for 37 years, and has been a pilot for 14 years. They own two balloons and has flown in Colorado, Idaho, Washington, Montana, Oregon, Arizona and New Mexico.

Ballooning is a family activity for them and something they hope to pass down to their boys.

They love to share the sport with as many people as they can. He has flown as high as 7000’ above ground level.

His most exciting flight was going 60 mph at altitude and then ended with a calm standup landing.

Pilot Name: Carmen Blakely Home: Salem, OR Balloon Name: Terra Madre Sponsor: Brown’s Les Schwab Tire Center Interesting Facts: Carmen started crewing for hot air balloons in 1994.

After her first flight she knew that she had to learn to fly. She received her Private pilot’s license in 2000 and her Commercial license in 2001. She now owns Tierra Madre, She flies in the Willamette Valley and travels as much as she possibly can to balloon rallies around the Western United States. As of 2016 they have flown in all of the Western States in various balloon rallies or just for the fun of flying.

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The Pilots and Their Balloons · Page 5

Luke Cesnik - Freedom Flight Kearny Davis - Mistress Pilot Name: Luke Cesnik Balloon Name: Freedom Flight Sponsor: Astria Health Interesting Facts: Luke started flying when he was 15 and after a stint in the Air Force he used the GI bill to get his Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine & Flight Instructors Rating. So he has been flying for 51 years.

Luke took his first balloon ride in 1990 and decided he could do this too. After flying balloons for the past 28 years he has many wonderful memories but one really stands out in his mind as one of the best. It was the time he flew the Pilot and Navigator from the same B-52 that was shot down over Hanoi during the Vietnam War. They were the only ones who survived and they were both captured and were held as prisoners of war at the infamous Hanoi Hilton Prison camp and they were there many years later in the POW balloon with Luke as we dedicated the flight to the ones they lost that day when they were shot down.

Another flight that stands out is when he got to see the snow fall up. He was flying in Hudson, WI when it began to snow huge flakes and the visibility started to get bad so he picked a good place to land and began his decent. As he was descending faster than the snow was falling and it looked like the snow was falling up. One of the girls flying with him said that she felt like she was in a snow globe and said it was like floating in a dream.

Of course every time he has flown a “bucket list” ride for someone dying of a terminal disease it is always emotional.

Pilot Name: Kearny Davis Balloon Name: Mistress Sponsor: Great Prosser Balloon Rally Interesting Facts: Kearny’s interest in ballooning began while he was crewing in the Great Reno Balloon Race approximately 30 years ago. He started his pilot training in 1996, with his pilot training being completed in January of 1997. Then in 2015, he went on and certified and became a commercial pilot.

He has been flying ever since. He and his family enjoy traveling to and participating in balloon rallies. They have had the opportunity to fly in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Wyoming and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

His wife Deanna named the balloon Kearney’s Mistress as she said it is the only thing he is allowed to spend money on other than her.

So, his balloon is his Mistress.

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Roy Foote - Tahnimara Too Tim Gale - Knight-N-Gale

Pilot Name: Roy Foote

Home: Boise, ID Balloon Name: Tahnimara Too (In Comanche, Tahnimara means Lonely wind).

Sponsor: Prosser Animal Hospital Started in Ballooning: In 1987 when he bought a ride for his wife Paula’s birthday.

Ballooning in Prosser: Roy has been with us every year since the 2nd Rally in 1991.

Interesting Facts: His wife, Paula, considers Prosser the ideal place to visit, it is fun flying and the wineries are plentiful.

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Pilot Name: Tim Gale Home: St Helens, OR Balloon Name: Knight-N-Gale Sponsor: Port of Benton Balloon Description/ History: They started in Prosser with “Checkmate” until it’s last flight at Prosser in 2014. It re-appeared in 2015 as “KnightN-Gale” after a new look, and loss of 60 Lb with a fresh fabric skin.

The structure within and basket below is still “Checkmate”.

Started in Ballooning: 1979 Ballooning in Prosser: Since 2007 Ballooning History: Shari and Tim have been active in the northwest since 1979 and balloon owners since 1980. They started for fun, then ran a weekend ride business in the 1980’s. Their activities since then have been mostly for fun flying and organized events such as The Great Prosser Balloon Rally. They have also been active in balloon safety education and Shari has been the editor for the Willamette Aerostat Society newsletter for many years.

Interesting facts: Check out the Facebook Knight-N-Gale Balloon Team page. They have taken three generations of the Montgolfier family, the very same family that started hot air balloons in 1783. Tim has a penchant for water dipping, known as splash & dash and Prosser is one of the great opportunities.

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The Pilots and Their Balloons · Page 7

Myia Hackett - MyAirFly Air! Laura Hancock - Morning Glory Pilot Name: Laura Hancock Home: Newberg, OR Balloon Name: Morning Glory Sponsor: Chukar Cherries Laura Hancock lives in Newberg Oregon.

She had been ballooning for 25 years.

She and her ballooning partner Bales own Morning Glory, a 1978 Raven Rally.

Laura has flown in Oregon, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Idaho, Washington, and Taiwan

Pilot Name: Myia M Hackett Home: In the Sky Balloon Name: MyAir FlyAir! Sponsor: Bleyhl’s Co. Op B a l l o o n Description/ History: I took my first balloon ride in June of 2002, bought my own balloon in 2009, got my private certificate in 2010 and my commercial in 2015. I have flown in 15 states and three foreign countries.

I love to share ballooning and enjoyed teaching kids about ballooning at Jr. Balloonist camps in Nevada and Pennsylvania. I also love to compete on a national level which I find to be a lot of fun! Teaching and sharing ballooning is a true passion of mine.

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Page 8 · The Pilots and Their Balloons

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Stephanie Hughes - Spuds

Pilot Name: Stephanie Hughes Home: Spokane, WA Balloon Name: Spuds Sponsor: Fun Flyer!

Stephanie started flying balloons with her parents when she was very little. The balloon, Spuds, has four potatoes plants that are Washington potatoes.

After Stephanie had twin boys, she needed an excuse to get out of the house, so she got the family balloon out of storage and became a pilot in 2006. Stephanie’s last time in Prosser was 2007 so she is excited to be back in the beautiful area to fly. She has flown in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon and helped crew in Saga, Japan. The best part about ballooning for Stephanie is that it brings lots of smiles and curiosity to many faces.

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Cheryl Isaacs - LaBrisa Del Mar

Pilot Name: Cheryl Isaacs Home: Tigard, OR Balloon Name: La Brisa Del Mar (Sea Breeze) Sponsor: Everett Law Offices Ballooning in Prosser: Since 2003 Started in Ballooning: In 1996 Cheryl started crewing for a large balloon company in the valley and absolutely loved it. In 1999 she then decided to learn how to fly and started training with a couple friends and they bought their first balloon together. She became a private pilot in 1999 and passed her commercial in 2000.

Cheryl flies commercially with Vista Balloons in Newberg, Oregon and can fly up to a 140K with passengers. She also travels with her own balloon to various rallies every year and really enjoy the social events and the flying. As a Commercial pilot she has completed several school presentations in demonstrating the stand up process and explaining how ballooning works. She has also participated in previous safety seminars as a presenter on Crew Safety including but not limited to driving safety, navigating during the chase, being crew chief and the responsibilities that come with that, proper use of lines, proper use of radios and safety of using the inflator fan.

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The Pilots and Their Balloons · Page 9

Mandy Johnson-Gunsmoke Gertie Vic Johnson - Ohana Maka Pilot Name: Mandy Johnson Home: Kent, WA Balloon Name: Gunsmoke Gertie Sponsor: Benton REA Started in Ballooning: In 1984 Ballooning in Prosser: Since 1993 as crew and started flying here in 1996.

She is a commercial pilot instructor, balloon repairman, the President of a Seattle Coffee Roasting Company and oversees the families’ furniture and interior home door/millwork/ c a b i n e t businesses.

Kemp Lindsey - Liberty Belle

Pilot Name: Kemp Lindsey Home: Boise, ID Balloon Name: Liberty Belle Sponsor: Yakima Federal Savings & Loan Balloon Description/History: Red White and blue with white stars and a full red skirt.

Ballooning in Prosser: Since 1991 Interesting Facts: Kemp Lindsey started flying balloons in 1979, after crewing for two years. Kemp has attended the Great Prosser Balloon Rally for 26 years. His sponsor is and always has been, Yakima Federal Savings and Loan. Prosser is a favorite for Kemp and his sizeable traveling crew.

Pilot Name: Vic Johnson Home: Kent, WA Balloon Name: Ohana Maka Sponsor: Fun Flyer Started in Ballooning:1981 Ballooning in Prosser: Vic started flying here during the nd 2 Annual Great Prosser Balloon Rally.

Interesting Facts: Vic’s high school shop teacher encouraged him to become a balloonist.

He is a commercial balloon pilot, a balloon repairman, and enjoys ballooning in Prosser from his property whenever he can. He owns and runs a furniture manufacturing business and oversees the family door/millwork/ cabinet business.

Jack Loflin - Emerald

Pilot Name: Jack Loflin Home: Aurora, OR Balloon Name: Emerald Sponsor: Sewing Basket & Quilted Inn Interesting Facts: Jack’s first stab at piloting was when he was six years old. It was a small “line controlled” airplane with a 13inch wingspan. No passengers! At age 18 Jack started flying “real” airplanes. Over the last 19 years, he has logged over 5,000 hours flying various aircraft. Although he started with airplanes, he now also flies helicopters, gliders, and hot air balloons. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and is a certified flight instructor for airplanes, helicopters, and balloons. His day job is as an airplane and helicopter test pilot.

In 2017 Jack’s wife, Sallie, started Willamette Valley Balloons to provide scenic flights for passengers and to travel to balloon rallies.

Jack now works for her on his days off, flying the green and black balloon you’ll see at the rally. Stop by and say hi. We’d love to meet you.

The Pilots and Their Balloons · Page 11

Greg Miller - I ’ll Fly Away 2

Pilot Name: Greg Miller Home: Prineville, OR Balloon Name: I’ll Fly Away 2 Sponsor: Benton PUD Interesting Facts: Greg

started crewing in 1990, and ended up buying the balloon he was crewing for in 1995.

Greg received his private license in 1996 and his commercial license in 1997.

In 1999, Greg was honored by his fellow Aeronauts by being voted the Willamette Aerostat Society’s Aeronaut of the year, for all the work he put in forming the new balloon club.

In 2000, Greg was honored to be asked to be one of the 60 balloons that participated in the Millennium count down held in Boise Idaho, to ring in the new Millennium.

Greg has flown all over the West Coast and Pacific Northwest, including Albuquerque, spending the past 20 plus years, flying in Hot Air Balloon Events, and Promoting Hot Air Balloon events.

This will be the 9th time coming to The Great Prosser Balloon Rally. Greg and his balloon I’LL FLY AWAY 2, a beautiful balloon with the bottom half all the colors of the NBC Peacock, and the top half is all black, look forward to this year’s event. Come out to the field and say hello to Greg, and be part of the experience. Visit their website www.illflyaway.net or call Greg at 503 510-7835

Koh Murai - Firenze

Pilot Name: Koh Murai Home: Yamhill, OR Balloon Name: Firenze Sponsor: Prosser Memorial Heatlh Interesting Facts: Since the late 1970’s I have had the opportunity and privilege to fly various aerostats. The people that you meet, pilots, crews, passengers, and spectators are still the main reason to fly. The joy of flight is always there but people make the difference. Along the way I have been able to do some home built balloons, as well as work on the technical, planning, and execution side of distance, duration, and altitude record flights. This included a five year stint in around-the-world balloon flight attempts. Applying those skills has also taken me to the world of scientific balloon design and flight for terrestrial, near- space and planetary exploration flights.

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Jesse Rafn - Boss Angell McKenna Secrist - Endless Joy Pilot Name: Jesse Rafn Balloon Name: Boss Angell Sponsor: Jeremy’s 1896 Public House Interesting Facts: Jesse has been involved in the Ballooning community since 1992, when his Dad took him to his first balloon rally. The passion for ballooning “took off” when he was able to get a balloon ride with a local Portland pilot at the age of six.

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Pilot Name: McKenna Secrist Home: Bothell, WA Balloon Name: Endless Joy Sponsor: Fun Flyer Balloon Description/ History: Multi Color Peacock Balloon Ballooning History: McKenna Secrist had a dream of being a hot air balloon pilot since she was little and got her pilots certificate on her 16th birthday in Albuquerque, New Mexico!

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The Pilots and Their Balloons · Page 13 Typefaces are as follows:

Terri Schofield - Simpatico

Pilot Name: Terri Schofield Home: Springfield, OR Balloon Name: Simpatico Sponsor: Milne Fruit Products.

Terri has been flying Aerostar Balloons for 25+ years and has logged over 500 hours participating in organized events and flying for fun. Terri has been hosting and instructing Safety Seminars for over 13 years for her fellow pilots and crew in the Pacific Northwest. She has also organized events across Nevada, California and Oregon. Currently you can find her flying in Oregon with her husband, Greg Schofield and her son Riley.

They enjoy the many relationships they have built over the years and the wonderful new friends they have been introduced in to ballooning. The best part for Terri is showing her passion with fellow crew members and new folks that they run into every day and delivering a great experience to those that participate in the flight or on the ground operations.

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Scott Shields - Renegade

Pilot Name: Scott Shields Home: Ferndale / Everett WA Balloon Name: Renegade Sponsor: Fruit Smart Ballooning in Prosser: This will be Chase’s second year ballooning in Prosser.

Interesting Facts: Scott has been ballooning since 1975. Scott met his wife Richelle at the balloon rally in Walla Walla in 1981 and she has been “chasing him” ever since (She says Scott is still full of hot air).

Scott is an engineer for the Boeing Company developing new technologies for future airplanes. Chase’s first solo flight in a Balloon was at the age of 15 years old. Scott has flown inside the Seattle Kingdome, the Pontiac Silverdome, the Houston Astrodome and the Tillamook blimp hangar.

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Page 14 · The Pilots and Their Balloons

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Larry Simburger - Starfire

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No Pets Please

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Pilot Name: Larry Simburger Home: Everett, WA Balloon Name: Starfire Sponsor: Tom Denchel Ford Country Sponsor Services: Local car dealership.

Balloon Description/ History: Yellow, light and dark green stripes with large white “stars” Started in Ballooning: In 1984 crewing with a friend.

Ballooning in Prosser: Since 1998 Interesting Facts: He loves ballooning with his wife Gail and sons Dave, Michael & Mathew.

Please be aware that pets are not allowed on the airport field during rally weekend. Pets are also not allowed in Art Fiker Stadium for the Night Glow Show.

Dogs can sometimes become irritated at the high frequency sounds that may be emitted from the propane burners used to heat the air in the balloons. This is not only painful for the dogs but can be dangerous if a dog that is in pain is inadvertently provoked by another dog or a child.

There have also been problems in the past of dogs “marking their territory.” Unfortunately the territory marked were balloons in the process of being inflated.

So for the comfort of your pet, the safety of our spectators, and to keep the balloons as clean as possible please do not bring your pets to The Great Prosser Balloon Rally events.

Pilot Name: Bill Woodhead Balloon Name: His Sky Sponsors: The Great Prosser Balloon Rally Balloon Description: Red, Yellow, Purple and Pink Checkered Balloon Ballooning in Prosser: This is Bill’s second year flying in Prosser.

Bill has been an Airplane Pilot for the past 45 years and a Balloon Pilot for over 37 years. He has flown balloons in events in a majority of the states in the USA as well as Canada, Kenya, East Africa, Israel, and New Zealand.

He currently lives near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

and Watch them Inflate Like a Hot Air Balloon Prosser Branch Serving the Needs of the Lower Valley Since 1972

ATM

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The Pilots and Their Balloons · Page 15

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Crew Posts

We need crew members for next weekend! Are you interested in helping to crew a balloon for one of our pilots? We are looking for crew members, or people who are willing to help and able to follow the directions of our pilots.

No experience needed! If you are interested, you can email us at nikki@prosserballoonrally.org or give us a call (509) 713-2732. We need crew for Fri, Sat & Sun Sept 28-30 at the sunrise launches. It is on a first come, first serve basis, so get ahold of us soon!

Why Aren’t the Balloons Flying?

You’ve probably noticed that all the hot air balloon flight schedules bear the same caveat: weather permitting.

That only makes sense. After all, the flight of any craft that makes its way though the air requires weather that is within certain parameters for the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of passengers and crew.

And if that is true even for craft that carry hundreds of people hundreds of miles at hundreds of miles per hour, it must be that much more so for the gently gliding craft that operate at a hundredth of those parameters.

But still, you may have also had the experience of rising before the sun, and making your way to the balloon launch site to find… no balloons, and no explanation why.

The sky is clear, the sun is bright, and winds are dead calm. So what gives?

What gives is that ballooning requires not only knowing what the weather is at launch time, but what it is likely to be later, perhaps even hours later.

The individuals responsible for deciding whether or not to launch check the weather in every direction to make certain that there are no weather patterns that could cause problems after the balloons are in the air.

The primary concerns are wind speed at various altitudes, and moisture.

The material that forms the hot-airholding canopy of the craft is rip-stop nylon, but it can mold and mildew if it gets wet, and doesn’t have the chance to completely dry before the balloon is packed and stored.

Winds beyond three or four miles per hour are also problematic for balloon pilots, since the craft move inexorably with them.

Once aloft, it’s important for pilots to be able to depend on the wind velocity staying relatively stable.

Meteorological information is gathered from every point of the compass before the launch decision is made.

The good news is that weather hardly ever prevents the balloons from flying in Prosser.

Some attribute that to the microclimate that is created by the proximity of the Horse Heaven Hills to the Prosser Airport launch site.

But whatever the reason, even if one day isn’t suitable, one or two of the three-day event are almost always ideal for early morning and, often, late afternoon flights of the colorful, stately craft.

So, despite the ubiquitous caveat, the weather at the Prosser Balloon Rally is nearly always permitting.

Farmers who do not want the Hot Air Balloons of The Great Prosser Balloon Rally to land in their fields may send a “please don’t land here” message by calling Nikki Norby at (509)7132732 or by emailing her at nikki@prosserballoonrally.org.

These areas will be designated as “OFF LIMITS” for landing on a map given to each balloon pilot. Although most animals

do not react to the quietly drifting hot air balloons, horses and big birds, such as emus and rheas, tend to react badly. The Balloonmeister suggests that persons who have horses my wish to place them in stalls.

Farmers and home owners who invite the balloon pilots in the Rally to land in their fields are asked to place a white sheet or bedspread in their fields.

The white is visible from the air.

The Annual Great Prosser Balloon Rally schedule is: Morning Launches on Friday, Sept. 28; Saturday, Sept. 29 and Sunday, Sept. 30. Weather permitting.

Any questions about The Great Prosser Balloon Rally may be addressed to the Rally Chairman, Nikki Norby at (509) 713-2732.

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Crew Posts & Balloons Flying? & Farms Car Warn Off Pilots · Page 17

Balloonist’s Prayer May the wind welcome you with softness.

May the sun bless you with his warm hands.

May you fly so high and so well, God joins you in your laughter.

And may He set you gently back again, Into the loving arms of Mother Earth.

Alpaca

Farm Open

House

Want something unique to do between balloon launches this weekend? Visit an alpaca farm!

To celebrate National Alpaca Farm Days, Sage Bluff Alpacas will be open to the public from 11am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29th and 30th. Visitors may meet the alpacas, talk with owners John and Jennifer Ely, watch “fiber to fashion” demonstrations, shop beautiful alpaca retail, enjoy refreshments and more.

Farm tours will include meeting the adorable new babies born this summer. Spinners, weavers and knitters will demonstrate their creativity for visitors. New for fall, beautiful alpaca yarns, fashions and accessories will be previewed in the “big barn.”

On Saturday Wanda Carpenter will teach her Alpaca Rug Braiding Class. Pre-registration is suggested by calling the farm at 509-786-4507.

Sage Bluff Alpacas is located at 8401 S. Steele Road in Prosser.

The open house is family friendly and admission is free.

National Alpaca Farm Days are a good opportunity to learn about the inquisitive, unique alpaca, the luxury fiber they produce, and why alpacas are perfect for small acreage and environmentally conscious individuals. Come learn what alpacas could add to your life!

For more information about National Alpaca Farm Days, go to www.sagebluffalpacas.com

Shy’s Pizza Connection 1306 Meade Ave · Prosser · 509-786-4095

A Place Where Friends & Family Connect Big Screen TV · Game Room · Large Parties Pizza · Famous Chicken & Jo’s · Sandwiches · Appetizers Fresh Salad Bar · Lunch Specials · Beer & Wine

18 Page · Balloonist’s Prayer & Alpaca Farm Open House

2018 Balloonmeister ~ Tim Gale Photos courtesy of Tim Gale Knight-n-gale owned by Tim Gale, the 2018 Balloonmeister for Prosser’s Balloon Rally.

2018 Night Glow Master of Ceremonies ~ Ben Riley

Tim Gale is once again Balloonmeister for the 2018 Balloon Rally. This is not his first time at the helm. He first flew in Prosser in 2007 after being enticed to come to Prosser by Jerry Gobet, who was a former Balloonmeister.

Gale and his wife Sherri have been back each year since. Gale is known for his penchant for dipping into calm waters of the river. The dipping maneuver is also called a ‘splash n dash’ or ‘a dunk and a go’ depending on the pilot’s skill level or their approach.

Gale has been known to say that “Prosser is a great opportunity to carry on the tradition.”

This will be Gale’s fifth year

as Balloonmeister. This is a position for a person experienced with ballooning events, acting to represent flight operations with the event organization.

Activities of the Balloonmeister include; leads weather discussion, checking paperwork as needed, helping with any troubleshooting, helping pilots and making the weather call if needed.

Gale has flown for 34 + years and is a member of the Balloon Federation of America and Willamette Aerostat Society.

Spectators of the rally are encouraged to arrive early (about 6:15 a.m.) at the Prosser Airport to watch the pilots prepare the giant balloons.

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BAKERY

Complimentary Gift Wrapping • Mon. - Sat. 9-6 • Sunday Noon -5 • take Exit 80 off I-82

2018 Balloonmeister · Page 19