Hot Air Balloon Jubilee Jackson, Michigan

For over 20 years one of the biggest events in Jackson, Michigan has been the three day long Hot Air Balloon Jubilee. Until a few years ago the events were split between three locations which provided a variety of back drops for the balloon launches and landings.

Friday afternoon and evening kicked off the Balloon Jubilee at Cascades Park which provided paddle boat rides, play ground equipment for the kids to play on as well as picnic tables and grills for families to enjoy dinner while taking part in the balloon activities. The highlight of Cascades Park however is always the Cascades Falls a man-made illuminated waterfall with light shows, fountains, and a variety of music to enjoy.

The main event of the balloon festival on Friday evening was the 'Key Grab'. Dozens of hot air balloons would launch from various locations around town their goal being a key suspended from a crane at the top of Cascades Falls. As the balloons flew above the park there was always excitement as you never knew when a balloon was going to run out of fuel and be forced to land before planned. Masses of onlookers cheered as balloonists neared the target at the top of the falls. The prize for being the hot air balloon pilot that 'grabbed' the key - a new car!

Saturday the Hot Air Balloon Jubilee moved its activities to Ella Sharp Park. Ella Sharp also offers picnic areas like Cascades but also the Ella Sharp Museum, miniature golf, a public Olympic sized swimming pool, and several baseball fields. At Ella Sharp Park the balloons always did a night glow where dozens of hot air balloons would stay connected to the ground by lines but light their burners at different times. This created a beautiful 'glow' that showed off the multitude of colors and designs of the balloons creating a spectacular light show.

Sunday morning started off with a mass balloon launch at the Jackson County Airport - Reynolds Field. The most fun in this was 'balloon chasing'. As the balloons lifted off from the airport observers could sit and watch until the balloons were nothing more than specks in the sky or pick your favorite balloon and follow it. Sunday morning in Jackson there is very little traffic so this was easy to do but didn't take long for the balloons to head out over the Michigan countryside.

Balloonist got points for such activities as touching down on water: the dozens of lakes around Jackson were great for this activity. Going the highest on lift-off was another fun balloon activity that involved locals. Balloons would land in neighborhoods and get volunteers to hold down the balloon while the pilot ran his/her burner full blast then yelling 'let go' the results where the balloon would 'pop' straight up in the sky and fast.

For the last few years for financial reasons the Hot Air Balloon Jubilee in Jackson, Michigan has been held entirely at the County Airport. Carnival rides, crafts vendors, antique car shows, and other activities provide a variety of activities for crowds of all ages. Gone however are the days of balloons dodging the park trees, laying in the fresh cut grass watching the balloons lift off right over your head, and having a change of scenery by going to three different locations over the weekend and still being involved in the balloon festival activities.

For more detailed information on the Hot Air Balloon Jubilee in Jackson Michigan visit - http://www.hotairjubilee.com/

To find a Hot Air Balloon Jubilee near you visit - http://www.hotairballoon.com/home.taf