More Glitter & Glow

Part of the fun of having hot air balloon glowing at night in the streets was to watch the process the balloon pilots and their trusty crews went through from start to finish. The baskets and balloons were unloaded from vehicles and trailers. Then the balloon was rolled out in the middle of the street.

 While the balloon was on its side,

 giant fans blew hot air to

 inflate it

 right before my very eyes!

When the balloon was full, the crew tilted it 

to a vertical position. The balloon was

anchored to its vehicle and trailer to keep 

it from lifting off the ground while glowing.

The 'burn' makes the balloon light up like a light bulb against the night sky. The burn happens when 

the pilot blows hot air into the balloon to keep it inflated & in position.

It takes 33 gallons of propane per balloon to keep it up and glowing for an hour and a half.

I can't imagine how much propane must have been used for the polar bear, since it was as large as 3 balloons. Go to yesterday's post to view the polar bear.

This was a case of being in the right place at the right time AND everybody else in our little group 

wanting a snack,  so I could snap photos and watch & document the filling of the balloon.

Had the wind been blowing just 5 mph, the balloons would not have made an appearance last night because it would have been too hard to hold them in place.

The hot air balloons MADE the event. Thanks S & H for inviting us along to the Glendale Glitter & Glow Block Party!