PRAIRIE | FRANKIE SANCHEZ

Web Editor’s Note: For more photos, click here!

The skies were filled with wonder and awe this past weekend as they were painted with designs and colors of dozens of hot air balloons. Sights that are normally only viewed through calendars or stock photography came to life as the 4th annual Pirates of the Canyon Invitational Balloon Rally took place in Amarillo.

It was a weekend long affair with events that included a flight competition, trick or treating, night glow and many others.

The festivities kicked off on Friday morning with a flight out of Palo Duro Canyon; 15 balloons ascended out of the Canyon at daybreak and filled the morning sky with their bright colors. This is a special event, as flight is not permitted over the Canyon by any aircraft. “With Palo Duro being a restricted fly zone, it’s a special opportunity to get to fly there,” said Travis Goodman, pilot of the balloon, “Flying Norm.”

Goodman and other pilots flew over Canyon for an hour at eight to nine miles per hour before landing near the roads of Pullman and Rockwell.

PRAIRIE | FRANKIE SANCHEZ

Pilots reached heights of 1,000 feet over the Canyon and set their eyes on a sight rarely seen. But not all pilots chose to enjoy the scenery; Goodman decided to take a different approach. “In open fields, many pilots like myself enjoy skimming the ground at altitudes of six to eight inches.”

Friday night, the public got involved as a night glow was available at John Stiff Park in Amarillo. Patrons were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of inflation of these colorful balloons as well as enjoy vendor booths and concessions.

The March of Dimes hosted the rally, and all proceeds from parking as well as the vendors’ fees went directly to funding the foundation. “We’re glad to be involved with them and their great organization,” said the rally coordinator, Chris Jones.

People waking up on Saturday morning were greeted to the sounds of short bursts of burning propane as the ballooners once again took flight. This time it was a competition from John Stiff Park. The theme of this year’s competition was, “The Legend of the Nickel.” This was because a local balloon known as the

“Quadnickel” was used as a chase balloon for this year’s competition.

In this competition, the Quadnickel takes off into the sky. All chasers cannot begin to lift off until the lead balloon is in flight. Then, using the winds as their only means of steering, the competitors must chase down the Quadnickel and land as closely to it as possible. Flags are thrown onto a marked “X” designating where the Quadnickel landed. Whoever is closest wins the competition and gets the honor of being a great navigator of the winds.

PRAIRIE | FRANKIE SANCHEZ

Saturday afternoon, once again, featured festivities at John Stiff Park. The guests were encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to the event where they could trick or treat from each of the balloons’ baskets. This was a chance for people to get up close and meet the pilots of these colorful aircrafts. Once again the proceeds benefited the March of Dimes. Before dusk, the balloons were to take off in a mass ascension, however the high wind speeds made safe flight impossible.

The weekend came to a close in the same place where it began, with a final flight out of Palo Duro Canyon.

This flight attracted balloon enthusiasts from all around as the famous Space Shuttle balloon was scheduled for lift off. The balloon is one of the largest there is and easily the largest of the 33 registered balloons this weekend. It took a 25-man crew to get the balloon completely inflated. This is a huge increase from the average six to ten man crews needed for regular balloons.

Many balloons once again soared out of the Canyon and caught the 30-mile per hour winds. Most balloons were in the air for an hour and ended up landing just south of Claude.

This signified the end of an eventful weekend that was aesthetically amazing and successful as well.

The March of Dimes was able to raise money for their cause, children were given a safe alternative for trick or treating and the pilots were able to show off their skills and share their experiences.

Goodman said his favorite part was “getting to meet other balloon pilots from around the country and helping to raise money for the March of Dimes.”

It seems all who partook in the festivities were not left disappointed.