About two decades ago, Lisa Archer fell in love with hot-air ballooning.
“It’s so peaceful when you get up there,” said Archer, a Maumelle resident. “It’s an adventure every time you take off, because you don’t know where you’ll land.”
Now, she’s sharing her passion with the masses for the second year as event director of the Great War Memorial Balloon Race in Little Rock. The event, which is entirely volunteer-run, started Friday and runs through today. For $5, attendees can roam the large open field at War Memorial Park and buy food from concession stands,listen to live music and - of course - watch and ride in more than 20 balloons.
Tether rides were planned for Friday and Saturday, though they were called off Friday because of a sudden storm. A balloon race kicked off Saturday’s events at 6:30 a.m., and the balloons weren’t due back until about 7 p.m.
The balloons plan to race again this morning, because no balloon got close enough for the occupants to toss a beanbag and hit a target.
Many attendees looked confused when they approached the festival and saw no balloons Saturday afternoon. But volunteerJohn Fournier of North Little Rock assured them that the sky would be filled with balloons by nighttime as the pilots returned from their morning race.
“As it gets dark, it looks real pretty,” he said.
Although weather wasn’t cooperating with the heatand wind-sensitive balloons, Archer said she still expected a turnout of more than 20,000 people. And Karla Fournier, John Fournier’s wife and Archer’s sister, said the real crowds show up in the evening.
“Last night, it was totally packed,” she said. “Everything’s going so well.”
Children poured into the park with their families to eat corn dogs, snow cones, nachos and other fair food and jump in one of the event’s five bounce houses. Other activities included a bungee ride, a frozen T-shirt contest and a Zumba class.Several charities were also at the event to raise awareness about their causes and accept donations.
The event takes about a year to plan and requires dozens of volunteers under the direction of Archer and balloon coordinator Mike Wilson. Volunteers say they expect the event to get even bigger in years to come.
“Riverfest in its second year - it was kind like this,” John Fournier said, motioning at the park.
The event continues today with a 6:30 a.m. final race, an 8:30 a.m. church service and children’s activities until the festival closes at 3 p.m. with a release of helium balloons.
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 15 on 06/23/2013