Hot Air Balloons Make Their Way To Sequim

By: Pat Prescott
12/02/2011 05:15 PM ET

Hot Air Balloons – Leaving attendees with sensory overload is Randall Tomaras’ goal for the first Sequim Balloon Festival in 2012 in Washington State.

“Balloon Glow,” planned at the event Sept. 1-2, will start between sunset and 45 minutes after sunset when the winds die down, he said.

The field, on part of a grassy field owned by farmer Fred Grant, will be lined with black plastic and filled with about 2 inches of water from a nearby irrigation ditch, Tomaras said.

Leading up to the Balloon Glow between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. will be street dances, live music, a food court, wine and a beer garden leading up to the balloon glows.

He’s calling it “Twilight in the Olympics.”

“It’ll be very photogenic for photographers,” Tomaras said of the festivities, especially Balloon Glow.

“We’ll have five to seven balloons each night.” The balloons will be lit up to reflect in the pond.

Tomaras, a professional photographer who promoted a balloon festival for Everett’s centennial event that drew about 30,000 with minimal promotional effort — just a few posters put up around town — said he expects 150 antique cars and hot rods from several Northwest car clubs to rumble into Sequim for the balloon festival weekend’s “Hot Gas & Gears” show at the festival site.

Source: Hot Air Balloons