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Not a single hot air balloon entered the sky during the 37th annual southwest Iowa Balloon Days event held over the weekend in Creston.
Pilots were shut out on all four scheduled competitive flights because of windy conditions. This is the sixth time since 1987 pilots have been shut out of all four flights because of inclement weather. Other years include 1993, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2011.
“We’re on hold until next year,” Jim Gebhart quipped during the pilot’s breakfast Sunday morning.
This was Gebhart’s first year as balloonmeister (race director) for Balloon Days in Creston. He succeeded longtime balloonmeister Rob Martholomew of Carlisle.
The date for next year’s event has already been set. It will be Sept. 18-20 and Gebhart of Indianola is expected to return as balloonmeister.
What did happen?
Weather conditions did cooperate enough to allow for Night Glow Saturday evening at Creston Municipal Airport. About half of this year’s 38 registered balloonists participated.
“Conditions were very marginal for night glow with teams really having to work to get their balloons inflated,” said Roger Lanning, chairperson of the Balloon Days Committee. “But, we had great participation from balloonists and good attendance from the public considering there was no flight that night.”
The annual Balloon Days parade featured a marching band competition with six bands from across southwest Iowa participating. This competition was hosted by Creston High School marching band (therefore, they were not part of the judging).
First place in class 1A was Bedford. Lenox and East Union placed second and third, respectively, in Class 1A. Southwest Valley placed first in Class 2A.
Ellen Gerharz, executive director at Creston Chamber of Commerce, said there were more than 75 entries in this year’s parade. The parade, pedal pull and pet show all had similar participation to last year.
Meanwhile, Southern Prairie YMCA’s 5K run/walk held Saturday morning had nearly 100 participants. Jake Waddingham of Macksburg was the top male finisher in a time of 18:29. Maria Mostek of Creston was the top female in a time of 22:28. (See full results and photos here > )