Balloon Fest activities get an early start this year as a drive through Balloon Glow is scheduled for early Sunday evening at Murray Center in Centralia.
The Balloon Fest pilot liaison Patty Williams with the balloon pilots says at least six balloonists will participate.
“All of my local pilots are committed,” Williams said. “They’re very excited about it. It will replace the glow that we had in Fairview Park during Balloon Fest. We didn’t have enough security for that, so I decided to do it before Balloon Fest. It will start at approximately 7:30. We hope to be up about an hour. If the weather holds and the cars keep coming, then we could stay up a little bit longer.”
Williams says those wanting to see the drive through glow should enter Murray Center from Route 161 and travel through the center and exit on 4th Street.
“There are a lot of people who are just physically not able to be in the park. We hope that this is a way that they will be able to see balloons. The residents of Murray Center will get to see the balloons, and it’s just a good kick-off for the week.”
Meanwhile, Balloon Fest itself is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday August 15th, 16th, and 17th at Foundation Park.
There will be 33 hot air balloons featured this year.
