The first-ever pre-Balloon Fest Glow at Murray Developmental Center in Centralia was a success, even though it had to end early when the winds picked up.
At one point, traffic had backed up to near Aldi’s on Route 161 for those waiting to get into Murray Center to drive by the inflated hot air balloons.
Centralia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marcus Holland says the event was aimed not just at Murray Center residents but those who cannot get to the park next Friday through Sunday for Balloon Fest.
“The Fairview Park glow on the same weekend, we have balloon fest, it was a little strain on our resources. It was brought up to us by Patty Williams, one of our local pilots, to do this here at the Murray Center. They have the space for us, and we are super happy to work with them. It worked really well to get all the people through here. It was a clean drive through, and then the wind happened, so yeah, I think it was a successful event, and I think we would do it again.”
The Director of the Murray Center, Robert Mason, also liked the concept.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for our residents and the people who live here. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for this community to come through Murray and just get a chance to look at it. See, there have probably been people wondering about this place for years, and have never even been on the property.”
The President of the Murray Center Parents Association, Rita Winkeler, says the glow was also a hit with the residents.
“Oh, they love! They are having a real good time, and it’s been wonderful.”
Mason and Winkeler would also like to see the event repeated in future years.
The pilots also enjoyed the event. Walter Rudy, who pilots the Hour Big Bundle of Joy balloo,n was happy to be one of the ten pilots taking part in the glow.
“Very much a special top us, yes. We really love giving back to the community, and this is a nice way to do it.”
Kevin Heinzmann of Sandoval also likes the special events.
“I’ve inflated out here a few times. We’ve done glows before, usually it’s like the weekend afterwards or a couple of days afterwards. We’ve come out here and done 4 or 5 balloons. This is the biggest one we’ve done out here for sure, and this is the biggest pre-event of all the ones we go to. Most of the time, you can’t get 10 balloons in.”
As weather permits, be watching for balloons in the air in the early morning and early evening hours ahead of Balloon Fest this Friday through Sunday in Foundation Park.
The pilot turns on his burner to keep the air hot enough to keep the balloon aloft. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
