After a 24-hour delay due to poor wind conditions, the Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race lifted off early Friday morning.
“The wind was going in the right direction,” said a representative of the Helendorf Inn & Suites, which sponsors the annual event.
Several dozen multi-colored balloons rose into the sky above the Alpine-themed village north of Cleveland, starting at 7 a.m. on June 6. The winds carried them aloft toward their ultimate destination—Interstate 95.
Balloonmeister Tarp Head, of Head Balloons in Cleveland, said Friday evening, no winner had been declared.
“The pilots are just now returning,” he said at 8:50 p.m. Friday. “We will have to look at all their maps and landowner signatures before declaring a winner.” Head expected an announcement to be made sometime on Saturday, June 7.
Weather not cooperating
Rain and the threat of thunderstorms forced the balloon festival to end early Friday. Pilots will try again Saturday, offering tethered rides to the public beginning at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. before the balloons are folded and loaded.
“There’s a 50% chance of rain in the forecast,” said Head. “But that means there’s a 50% chance it won’t rain.”
Leaning into that optimism, Head said he is pleased with this year’s event, despite the weather challenges.
“It’s been a great event for the spectators because we stayed on the field,” he explained. “People have seen the balloons up close, instead of flying off and disappearing.”
Correction: Previous race results published in this article were incorrect. The article has been updated to reflect that. We will release the results when they are announced.
