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JACKSON TWP. —
Flying a hot-air balloon is a fair weather sport.
The balloons require the absence of low visibility, high winds, threat of rain or extreme heat and a flying ceiling of no less than 2,000 feet near or around an airport for a successful flight.
If one or more of these unsavory conditions exist, the flights often are grounded.
And that’s what happened Friday.
The planned balloon flight — primarily for reporters — at 6:30 a.m. to kick off the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival’s Balloon Classic was canceled due to poor weather.
“Safety is our No. 1 priority,” said Jess Bennett, director of marketing and events for the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Enshrinement Festival is part of the chamber’s duties.
Maury Sullivan, event director for the Balloon Classic, said the flight was grounded because of the threat of possible rain and a flying ceiling under 1,200 feet.
The so-called “media” flight has only happened once in the past five years because of unfavorable weather conditions.
Event organizers also are uncertain whether the 58 hot-air balloons will liftoff at 6 tonight. The possibility of high winds late in the afternoon could keep the balloons grounded — again.
They remain hopeful the planned 9:30 p.m. night glow balloon launch will take place.
The Balloon Classic and Food Fest at the campuses of Kent State Stark and Stark State universities runs through the weekend with balloon liftoffs at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
Fireworks are set for 10 p.m. Saturday.
Sullivan said the weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday appear to be better suited for the balloons.
Flying a hot-air balloon is a fair weather sport.
The balloons require the absence of low visibility, high winds, threat of rain or extreme heat and a flying ceiling of no less than 2,000 feet near or around an airport for a successful flight.
If one or more of these unsavory conditions exist, the flights often are grounded.
And that’s what happened Friday.
The planned balloon flight — primarily for reporters — at 6:30 a.m. to kick off the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival’s Balloon Classic was canceled due to poor weather.
“Safety is our No. 1 priority,” said Jess Bennett, director of marketing and events for the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Enshrinement Festival is part of the chamber’s duties.
Maury Sullivan, event director for the Balloon Classic, said the flight was grounded because of the threat of possible rain and a flying ceiling under 1,200 feet.
The so-called “media” flight has only happened once in the past five years because of unfavorable weather conditions.
Event organizers also are uncertain whether the 58 hot-air balloons will liftoff at 6 tonight. The possibility of high winds late in the afternoon could keep the balloons grounded — again.
They remain hopeful the planned 9:30 p.m. night glow balloon launch will take place.
The Balloon Classic and Food Fest at the campuses of Kent State Stark and Stark State universities runs through the weekend with balloon liftoffs at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
Fireworks are set for 10 p.m. Saturday.
Sullivan said the weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday appear to be better suited for the balloons.
