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:
TBA
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.
