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Balloon Facts
Where do we purchase tickets for the Cedar City SkyFest? All the SkyFest events are free to the public! Festival Market will have food and craft items for purchase. Where is Bicentennial Park located? The park is located in Cedar City, Utah. Go North on Main Street to 900 North Street. When should we arrive at Bicentennial Park? Plan to arrive early at the Park. The balloons will lift off at daybreak but you will want to be there before the sun is up to watch the balloons come to life as the pilots inflate the envelope (balloon) and ignite their burners, You may need to walk some distance from where you park your car. Allow plenty of time and bring a flashlight...and don't forget your camera. Where do we watch the balloons? The launch field is at Bicentennial Park soccer fields. This is one aviation event where the spectators can actually walk among the participants. Take photos of you and your family with the balloons (don't forget the flash!) Please do not step on any part of the balloons. What is a Balloonmeister? The Balloonmeister is the person in charge of all the balloon flights throughout the festival. This year's Balloonmeister is: What is a Mass Ascension? A mass ascension is when all balloons launch about the same time. What do Chase Crews do? Chase crews help the pilot inflate and deflate his/her balloon for each flight. They should know the area roads well to help with directions. You may wish to volunteer for this exciting job! Are pets allowed at the launch site? Sorry, No, unless handicap assist pets. Balloons create a loud noise when firing up, and there will be a lot of spectators and activity. Keep you pet safe at home for this event. Are lawn chairs allowed at the launch? Yes, if you want to sit back and relax on the perimeter. No chairs allowed on the launch field. You may prefer to walk around and observe the balloons more closely and take photos. What Makes Up a HOT AIR BALLOON? A hot air balloon is typically made up of three key parts- the gondola or basket, the burner and the envelope. The envelope is the main part of the balloon constructed out of lightweight, durable fabric such as nylon or polyester. Upon being filled with heated air, this section of the balloon expands and begins to rise. Envelopes are usually bright end colorful and may come in an array of shapes and sizes. Balloon manufacturers are constantly attempting to outdo one other by creating more and more unique and elaborate envelope designs. The basket is the part of the balloon which carries passengers and the pilot. In days gone by baskets were constructed from wicker only. Today, fiberglass and aluminum are also used, although wicker remains the most popular alternative due to the fact that it is strong, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. The majority of baskets are open air, although it is possible to have them enclosed should the pilot so desire. The burner is the part of the balloon that heats the air within the envelope thereby causing the balloon to rise. Balloons may have only one burner or several, depending on their overall design. The burner uses propane gas which is essentially gasoline in its gaseous form. The gas is lit with a pilot light, resulting in an enormous flame which extends into the envelope of the balloon, heating the air inside of it. Once heated, this air becomes less dense than the surrounding air in the atmosphere, causing the hot air balloon to rise and float upwards. When the pilot wishes to stop gaining altitude, or alternatively is ready to begin his decent, he simply opens the parachute valve at the top of the balloon. This results in hot air from within the envelope being released into the atmosphere which in turn allows colder, denser air to flow into the envelope. This causes the balloon to become heavier and therefore sink towards the ground. |
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