Attended the Oswego Balloonfest which was held at the Oswego County Fairgrounds in Sandy Creek, New York over the weekend.  Late in the afternoon as the daytime temperatures began to drop, one of the balloons was inflated with cool air for people to walk through for a small fee. The sunny day made the rainbow colors of the balloon’s fabrics really pop.

A young woman inside a rainbow colored hot air balloon at the Oswego Balloonfest at the Oswego Country Fairgrounds in Sandy Creek, New York. on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/160s, f/5.6, ISO 200, EV 0, 24mm focal length.

While waiting for the hot air balloons to launch, people could eat at the various food vendors, shop at the crafter’s tents and listen to live music around the Oswego County Fairgrounds.  I recommend a Cheesecake on a Stick. I had mine with orange cream poured over it.

Soon, balloonists were getting ready in the launch field.  Balloons’ envelopes were filled and passengers loaded into the gondolas.  The colorful balloons then lifted soundlessly up into a cloudless blue sky.  Pilots would occasionally run the burners to control the height of their aircraft.

Hot air balloons in the air over the Oswego Country Fairgrounds during the Oswego Balloonfest in Sandy Creek, New York.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/125s, f/16, ISO 640, EV +0.3, 98mm focal length, polarizer filter.

After all the balloons were launched. One hot air balloon in front of the grandstands gave rides while being tethered.  The balloon would go up to about thirty feet (9 meters) giving riders a beautiful view of the fairgrounds and surrounding land.

A tethered hot air balloon gives spectators rides during the Oswego Balloonfest at the Oswego Country Fairgrounds in Sandy Creek, New York.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/200s, f/7.1, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 75mm focal length, polarizer filter.

This proved to be very popular as the balloon was kept busy until after sunset. Giving me the opportunity to capture a flying balloon as blue hour started.

A tethered hot air balloon pilot uses a burner to lift passengers over the Oswego Country Fairgrounds during the Oswego Balloonfest in Sandy Creek, New York.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 1/125s, f/4, ISO 2500, EV +0.3, 24mm focal length.

This was the first ever Oswego Balloonfest and what really intrigued me was they were promoting a balloon glow on the Saturday schedule of events. I have never seen nor photographed such an event as no balloons at the Jamesville Balloonfests I have attended did them.

A balloon glow happens after sunset.  Crews inflate their balloons until they are upright but are kept on the ground. Pilots will then light their balloons up using the burners. Add blue hour, the moon and a clear sky to the formula and it is an awesome sight.

Balloon glow event during the Oswego Balloonfest at the Oswego Country Fairgrounds in Sandy Creek, New York.
Nikon D700/24-120VR, 0.4s, f/8, ISO 800, EV 0, 24mm focal length, tripod.

I will have to find a larger balloonfest with a balloon glow.  I have seen photos with dozens of balloons glowing all at once.  Loved the single balloon but now I want to see more. 🙂