Prosser, Washington Balloon Rally

@noni1959 (10096)
United States
March 21, 2023 6:40pm CST
I moved a bit over a week ago from the forest area of Oregon to the desert area of Prosser, Washington. I prefer forest over desert, but this area has some interesting activities, stores, and other events. It's very big on wineries as well. Every September, the Great Prosser Balloon Rally comes to Prosser. Balloon pilots from all over the NW come in and launch at sunrise from the airport. People come from other towns and cities and some can even assist in setting them up for flight. During the festival, they have a Farmers market, Painting Festival, Harvest Festival, items for sale to help with the costs (event is free), and at least one night, they light up all the balloons. The photo is mine taken from standing on the patio at my son's house last September. His house is on the river not far from the bridge and where they launch. Have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon? It's on my bucket list to do soon.
13 people like this
12 responses
DE
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
22 Mar 23
No, I've never been up in a balloon... I'm scared of heights. (I can manage as long as I'm enclosed, but in an open basket, I'd need to get back on the ground or freak out.)
3 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
22 Mar 23
@noni1959 I've been on a Ferris wheel once and did okay... I think I did okay because I didn't look out of the car. I kept talking to my date.
2 people like this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
@DaddyEvil When I was younger, a single ferris wheel was OK but one year, my sister and I got on the double where it went way up high and did a rotation down and back up. Then it would stop with us up in the sky before circling again. She was rocking the car and all that was holding us in was a bar. She knew it scared me and did it more and I kept screaming to be let off. Never got on one again.
2 people like this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
I'm afraid of heights but would do this. I refuse to go on ferris wheels. I freaked out on a double one once.
2 people like this
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
22 Mar 23
It’s a beautiful view. No, I have no desire to ride a hot air ballon.
2 people like this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
The angle I took of the balloons didn't show the bridge and river. It is really a site and so fun to watch.
2 people like this
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
23 Mar 23
@noni1959 The balloons are so bright and colorful.
1 person likes this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
26 Mar 23
@RubyHawk They make me feel so happy and calm.
1 person likes this
Sandy
@velvet53 (22534)
• Palisade, Colorado
22 Mar 23
I would take the forest area any day over a desert area. Your new town sounds like it could be a lot of fun. I have never ridden in a hot air balloon but have helped them get off the ground.
2 people like this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
I will be moving back into the forest area but of Washington instead of Oregon. I'll be this way for about a year.
1 person likes this
Sandy
@velvet53 (22534)
• Palisade, Colorado
22 Mar 23
@noni1959 Is there a lot of difference between those two states? Ii would love to live in the mountains but I know that will never happen.
1 person likes this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
@velvet53 There is in people, registration, etc. Areas can look the same. Washington has a bit better governing.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (67762)
• United States
22 Mar 23
I have acrophobia (fear of heights), so a third-story window is a no-go for me, never mind a hot-air balloon. We have balloons here in town for the Kentucky Derby Festival every year. They’re beautiful to watch flying by when the wind pushes them toward my end of town.
2 people like this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
I have a fear of heights too. It's odd that I love to fly and want to go up. Yet, I refuse to go to the rim of cliffs, balconies, and tall ladders.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339496)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Mar 23
Don't they make just the most colourful sight? You had a great vantage point. The film we're seeing in the clubhouse next week is called 'Bucket List'. I wonder if hot-air ballooning is on their list. lol
2 people like this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
I love that movie!! I've seen it probably five times. I don't want to do a spoiler but no. There is something else though. You'll see.
2 people like this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
@JudyEv You'll find it funny but a few sad areas. Let me know how you like it.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339496)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Mar 23
@noni1959 I'm glad you're giving it a thumbs up. We've seen some really great films at our little clubhouse.
1 person likes this
Adie
@Adie04 (17360)
•
22 Mar 23
Me too! I never ride hot air balloon, but it's on my bucket list!
2 people like this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
It would be so fun and peaceful up in the air too.
2 people like this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
24 Mar 23
@Adie04 I am afraid but I just feel that want to do this. Maybe when it comes in September, I'll see if I can go up in one.
1 person likes this
Adie
@Adie04 (17360)
•
23 Mar 23
@noni1959 I know right! But I know that those who are afraid of heights won't be taking this challenge
1 person likes this
ShannyBananny
@shaggin (72116)
• United States
24 Mar 23
About 40 minutes from me there is an event just like this. My kids and I went a few times. I would never want to go up in a hot air balloon I would faint.
allen0187
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
22 Mar 23
Sounds like a fun town. Haven't been to a hot air balloon yet. We do have a hot air balloon and music festival here in the Philippines. Haven't been there yet though.
celticeagle
@celticeagle (166724)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Mar 23
We have one these here too. It is later in the year. I have never ridden in one but would like to. It's on my bucket list.
OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (89831)
• Arvada, Colorado
22 Mar 23
I have never Loretta. This is simply uplifting and so colorful!
2 people like this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
Whenever they do this, I like to get up early to watch. It's amazing. It's like they float in one spot for a long time before moving out.
2 people like this
Judy Story
@jstory07 (139550)
• Roseburg, Oregon
22 Mar 23
Yes I rode on a hot air balloon ten years a go. It was a lot of fun.
1 person likes this
Judy Story
@jstory07 (139550)
• Roseburg, Oregon
22 Mar 23
@noni1959 The one that I went on cost $500 per person.
1 person likes this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
@jstory07 Wow. My daughter went on one about five years ago and paid $200. I'm sure it's at the $500 or more by now.
1 person likes this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
I want to so bad! I was thinking about reserving one for my birthday this year.
1 person likes this
Leighnyork Nyakundi Makori
@leighnyork (1880)
•
22 Mar 23
Hot air balloon sounds fun. I think i should try it some day.
1 person likes this
Loretta
@noni1959 (10096)
• United States
22 Mar 23
I have family that have done this and they said it's like floating on cotton.
1 person likes this