It’s that time of year again—the Plano Balloon Festival! The weeks leading up to this spectacular event were filled with anticipation, and by Friday morning, I could barely contain my excitement. I sprang out of bed, ready to tackle the day ahead. With my brand-new water bottle filled, sunscreen and moisturizer perfectly applied, and a delicious bowl of leftover stir-fry devoured, I was practically out the door in record time. Every year, the volunteers meet at an offsite location, which sits cozily between two hotels. It’s like a little pre-festival hub of excitement! I checked in, grabbed my new volunteer shirt for the year, and headed straight to pick my balloon—this year, I chose the Haunted Mansion! The name alone sent a thrill down my spine, imagining how spectacular it would look floating above the crowds. As volunteers gathered, the head staff started some fun raffles. The prizes? Adorable balloon-themed goodies like swirly straws with cute mini balloons on top, pillowcases, pens, and makeup bags! I went straight for the swirly straw—it just screamed fun! Soon after, our pilot arrived, and we piled into the van, excitement bubbling in the air as we headed to the field. “If you haven’t realized by now, the balloon festival is a lot like the army—hurry up and wait,” our pilot quipped with a smile. And wait we did, sitting in the cool air conditioning of the van, swapping stories and soaking in the anticipation. Eventually, we made our way to the back of the field, where the delicious scent of Dickey’s BBQ wafted through the air. The low hum of laughter and conversation filled the tent as volunteers bonded over shared stories of past festivals and wild balloon adventures.
When it was time to meet up with our pilot again, we found him already setting out the basket and tarp, getting everything ready for the big moment. The air was electric, and you could feel the buzz of excitement building as we prepared to inflate the balloon. Working together, we pulled out the balloon, spreading it across the field like a massive, colorful creature waiting to come to life. The roar of the burner filled the air as the balloon began to inflate, and with each puff of air, the energy of the crowd grew. As the balloon finally stood tall and proud, the audience burst into cheers. The hair on my arms stood up as I felt the electricity of the moment—it was pure magic! Everyone was brimming with excitement, and the joy of seeing our balloon rise into the sky made all the waiting worth it. As the balloon glow came to an end, we helped our pilot pack up all the gear, working like a well-oiled machine to get everything loaded up so we could head back to the hotels. But just as we were in the middle of loading, the drone show kicked off, and the crowd erupted into cheers once again! Being front and center, it was like standing in a symphony of buzzing bees as the drones zipped through the sky, forming mesmerizing shapes and patterns. The colors danced across the night sky, and for a moment, we all forgot about the long day as we stood in awe of the dazzling display. Before we knew it, the drones landed, and it was time to pile back into the van. As we drove in peaceful silence toward the hotel, the exhaustion from the day starting to settle in, Keith—our pilot's co-partner—suddenly pointed out something unexpected: a praying mantis had hitched a ride on our windshield! My heart nearly leaped out of my chest as I spotted the little green creature. Bugs are not my thing, and the thought of it crawling any closer made me want to bury myself deep into my seat and disappear. I was practically counting down the seconds until we arrived back at the hotel parking lot. The moment we pulled in, I bolted out of the van like lightning—faster than I thought possible!
The next morning, I woke up with the same buzzing excitement—it was day two of volunteering, and I couldn’t wait to get back to the field! Once again, I’d be with the Haunted Mansion balloon crew, and while we were the last to head out to the field, spirits were high. Unfortunately, once we arrived, we got the news no balloon lover wants to hear: the winds were too high for us to set up the balloon that day.
Disappointment settled in for a moment, but that didn’t last long. Dinner rolled around, and this time it was Mexican food—just what we needed to lift our spirits! As dusk fell, our pilot decided to participate in the candlestick burn, a thrilling display where they set up the basket and burner without the balloon fabric. The roar of the flame shooting into the night sky was exhilarating, and the warmth from the fire added a cozy touch to the evening. Despite the wind, a few other pilots decided to set up their balloons, and we got the chance to walk around and admire their vibrant colors and massive sizes up close. Even though we didn’t get to set up our own balloon that day, being surrounded by the beauty and energy of the festival made it a spectacular time. Watching the other balloons, chatting with fellow volunteers, and soaking in the excitement of the festival reminded me why I love this event so much. I left the field with a heart full of joy and a head full of memories, already looking forward to next year’s festival, where I’ll be back, ready to do it all over again!
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