This year’s hot air balloon rally in Pittsfield will be a special one.

For one, it’s the first time the rally has been held in earnest for the past three years after festivities were canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Second, it’s the 40th anniversary of the rally held every year by the Suncook Valley Rotary Club. Third, that anniversary comes with an asterisk.

Pilots like Mike Olin of Heaven Sent Ballooning lifted off the past two years during the rally weekend to give the community the same serene sights of seeing floating orbs in the sky. Even though annual staples like carnival rides and the rotary breakfast were canceled, the balloons still took off, which is why this year still gets to be the 40th anniversary.

“We still had the balloon rally spirit even though we were restricted,” said Fallon Reed, president of the Suncook Valley Rotary Club.

Olin, of Warner, bought his balloon about eight years ago after his father passed away, which is how it got its name, Heaven Sent.

He said flying around the community during COVID was inspiring.

“People were really happy to see something happening,” Olin said. “You land in their yard, and obviously we would keep distance and stuff, but just to see something happening, everybody was really excited like, ‘awesome.’ ”

The festival is scheduled to begin at Drake Field Friday at 3 p.m. Balloons are scheduled to lift off Friday and Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday mornings at 5:30 a.m., weather dependent. The balloons are inflated but remain on the ground at dusk on Friday and Saturday evenings for the “Night Glow.” Almost all the other events will be held rain or shine.

One of the valley’s newest businesses, Over the Moon Farmstand – home of Moonlight Meadery and Hidden Moon Brewing – will be hosting live music this year.

Go to the Rotary Club’s webpage for a full schedule of events.

]]>