Balloon Festival!

[kathyspear]

I'll be there on Sunday, June 2. Anyone else planning to attend?

kathy

[Kahuna32162]

sorry, not after last year's fiasco.

[villagetinker]

I agree, after last years problems I am not planning on spending $20 per person to attend, not be able to eat, and hard to find portapotties, and do not get me started on the disastrous parking and traffic control....

[Chi-Town]

Starting time and the actual arrival and deployment of the balloons were hours apart. And no coordination at all for the nighttime fire them up scene. I'm surprised they're back.

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[kathyspear]

Hmmm ... This is from the event's web page:

The Villages is very proud to be hosting our very first balloon event and are honored to be partnering with Dan and Susan Stukas as our Balloon Meisters. Dan and Susan have decades of experience in the ballooning industry and we are so happy that they have agreed to coordinate all of our ballooning competitions, activities, and pilots. The Villages Polo Club’s first annual balloon festival is sure to be a success with the support of the entire Villages community and the wise guidance of Dan and Susan.

Was last year's event sponsored/hosted by someone else?

In any case, I already bought my ticket for Sunday. (I will be out of town until Saturday, June 1st.) Hope to see some of you there.

k.

[anothersteve]

Since this will be a first for me, I will be there.
Steve

[Mleeja]

Hmmm ... This is from the event's web page:

The Villages is very proud to be hosting our very first balloon event and are honored to be partnering with Dan and Susan Stukas as our Balloon Meisters. Dan and Susan have decades of experience in the ballooning industry and we are so happy that they have agreed to coordinate all of our ballooning competitions, activities, and pilots. The Villages Polo Club’s first annual balloon festival is sure to be a success with the support of the entire Villages community and the wise guidance of Dan and Susan.

Was last year's event sponsored/hosted by someone else?

In any case, I already bought my ticket for Sunday. (I will be out of town until Saturday, June 1st.) Hope to see some of you there.

k.

Yes, last year’s fiasco was not a Villages sponsored event. Many unhappy campers!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I agree, after last years problems I am not planning on spending $20 per person to attend, not be able to eat, and hard to find portapotties, and do not get me started on the disastrous parking and traffic control....

Last year's problems apparently happened under "someone else's watch." New events company providing it and the Villages organizing it this year, might make for a success that was sadly missing last year.

And don't forget to ask on your way in, before you have to actually use them, where to find the portapotties :)

[BobnBev]

We'll be there:boom:

[Bogie Shooter]

Last year's problems apparently happened under "someone else's watch." New events company providing it and the Villages organizing it this year, might make for a success that was sadly missing last year.

And don't forget to ask on your way in, before you have to actually use them, where to find the portapotties :)

Did you have trouble parking?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Did you have trouble parking?

I never have trouble parking.

[pauld315]

Huge disappointment last year, think I will skip it

[villagetinker]

We had NO trouble parking, getting out was an absolute disaster, absolutely will not attend.

[CFrance]

Last year's problems apparently happened under "someone else's watch." New events company providing it and the Villages organizing it this year, might make for a success that was sadly missing last year.

And don't forget to ask on your way in, before you have to actually use them, where to find the portapotties :)
Did you go to the balloon festival last year? If so, where were the portapotties? I'm having trouble imagining how to hide portapotties at the polo grounds, but I've actually never been there, just driven by.

[photo1902]

Did you go to the balloon festival last year? If so, where were the portapotties? I'm having trouble imagining how to hide portapotties at the polo grounds, but I've actually never been there, just driven by.

If it was like the golf festival, there was no shortage of portapotties, and it's kind of hard to miss seeing them :)

[Chi-Town]

Did you go to the balloon festival last year? If so, where were the portapotties? I'm having trouble imagining how to hide portapotties at the polo grounds, but I've actually never been there, just driven by.They weren't hiding; they only had a couple. And the bathrooms at the polo field were closed off. Unbelievably poorly planned.


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[OrangeBlossomBaby]

CFrance, I was responding to this post:

I agree, after last years problems I am not planning on spending $20 per person to attend, not be able to eat, and hard to find portapotties, and do not get me started on the disastrous parking and traffic control....

when I reminded people to ask where the portapotties are on their way IN. Y'know, so they wouldn't suddenly need to use them and not know where they are.

[villagetinker]

Sorry, I should have said a lack of porta-potties, as there were long lines, yes they were visible, at either end of the polo field, and as previously noted there was no access the the ones located in the building. We arrived about 1 hour early and actually got parking in the front lot on pavement. Stayed for about 3 hours, tried to eat, but many of the vendors were sold out and what was available we did not want. Went to leave, and you could only go out by going all the way around the polo fields, start and stop, 5 mph max, and over 45 minutes, then it was impossible to make a left, so we headed North and made a u turn at the first chance.
I will look forward to the reviews.

[CFrance]

Two portapotties, either sides of the field vs making it from one end of the house to the other... I would have to stay home!:faint:

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Though I can't speak on behalf of last year's festival organizers, I can speak on behalf of festival organizers in general since I've actually helped organize festivals. As someone who has actually done that kind of work on a large scale, it sounds to me as though the organizers of last year's balloon festival didn't expect such a turnout. I've had this exact same problem when I was with a group who organized the first-ever food truck festival in a particular area. The principal organizer took care of social media advertising, there was no other paid advertising at all.

Based on facebook "likes" and "goings," we were expecting a total of around 3000 people spread over a 2-day event. The park could handle around 1000 at any given moment, so a trickle of people totalling 1500 from 11AM til 8PM one day and noon-6 the next seemed like a reasonable expectation. Most people who attend food truck festivals don't show up at the beginning and stay til close. they come when they come, stay a couple of hours, and leave.

We had no idea that almost 4000 people would all try and show up within the first three hours of the first day. The highway had to be closed for one exit, the traffic jam backed it up three exits in either direction. The road to the venue was completely stopped for over a mile, the police had to be called in to divert traffic. Both the front and back parking lot were full by the second hour, and we hadn't thought to rent out the soccer field for parking, as sometimes this venue used to when it has its annual agricultural fair.

We had full use of the outdoor facility's restrooms, but they ran out of toilet paper. People were told not to bring pets (service animals were of course allowed), but they brought them anyway, and so it was a tangled mess of leashes. The lines were so long that people were waiting over an hour for their chosen truck's food. And by the time they got to the front of the line, they found out the truck had run out of what they wanted. Even the trucks didn't expect this kind of business.

A couple of people passed out from dehydration, since there was only one water vendor, it was a warm day in full sun, and of course the water vendor ran out as well.

They had to close early, due to lack of food, lack of toilet paper, and utter chaos on the roads and parking lot. The fines for "inadequate" parking attendants and police overtime were in the multi-thousands.

While my situation was a horrific nightmare on every possible level, it was also -obviously- from a marketing perspective a raging success. The fact that most of the trucks were completely sold out, means they raked in thousands of dollars and didn't have to throw a single thing away at the end of the weekend.

Last year's festival sounds like a similar situation, on a less dramatic scale. They suffered from an inability to accommodate masses greater than they had been expecting. They probably planned VERY well...for a much smaller crowd. If they had planned for much larger, and a much smaller one showed up, they would've taken enormous losses financially. Damned if you do, damned if you don't, but that sounds pretty much like the situation.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

This is the first year that the Polo Grounds are hosting. Check out their web site. I am having a booth this year and spoke to those in charge and asked numerous questions about all of your concerns. They seem to have everything though out well. I believe that they learned a lot from last years event as to how to make it better. I'm saying these things not because I'll be a vendor but because I would not be a vendor if this event was to be not be well organized.
Uncle Ronnie (Ron Findley) Uncle Ronnie's Cheesecake.

Here's the "official" link to the Polo Club's festival page. It's great that you posted to let everyone know who is hosting it! I took a skim through all the links on that page and it doesn't mention whether or not the rest rooms will be open. However, since it's the Polo Club itself that's hosting the event, I'm sure they'll either have it open, or have plenty of portable facilities available.

The Villages Balloon Festival (https://thevillagesballoonfestival.com/)

[twoplanekid]

I was told today while setting up the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1036 tent that there are 27 hot air balloons that will launch from the Polo grounds. Looking forward to this fun event starting Friday!

[BobnBev]

I don't see why I can't bring in my own snacks and drinks, coke or pepsi or just plain water.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I don't see why I can't bring in my own snacks and drinks, coke or pepsi or just plain water.

Because they have vendors who profit off selling these things to you. Would you go into a restaurant with food you brought from home?

[ctreick]

We just got back from the festival (2019)...Its Saturday evening at 6pm and not a balloon to be seen! We were told they were coming in later if the weather allows. Why would we spend $15 each to see if they show. There is no excuse for not having balloons on the premises during a weekend long balloon festival. I understand it was open all day...for what?

I have been to other balloon festivals that have them flying in the morning then have the balloons tethered all day for people to go in them on the ground and see all the beautiful colors and designs.

[buzzy]

We just got back from the festival (2019)...Its Saturday evening at 6pm and not a balloon to be seen! We were told they were coming in later if the weather allows. Why would we spend $15 each to see if they show. There is no excuse for not having balloons on the premises during a weekend long balloon festival. I understand it was open all day...for what?

I have been to other balloon festivals that have them flying in the morning then have the balloons tethered all day for people to go in them on the ground and see all the beautiful colors and designs.

I must have been right behind you. Was told by a parking attendant that it was still too windy. So I did not park or get on the long line to pay. Will try tomorrow afternoon.

[Bogie Shooter]

Morning paper said there were 15 balloons on Friday evening.
Must be a safety issue with the weather.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Hot air balloons are awesome. I took my dad for a balloon ride for his 60th birthday. We were warned in advance that if it was too windy, the ride would be cancelled. It wasn't just because being the balloon is steered entirely by the wind - and a really windy day could mean capsizing. But it's also because the balloons are powered by fire. Fire + wind = bigger, uncontrollable fire.

You get 15 hot air balloons all tethered on a single polo field, all fired up to keep them up (that's HOW they manage to be up in the first place) - and a really heavy gusty windy day, and you end up with a lot of fire. And a lot of dead people. And no polo grounds, and possibly no neighborhood.

It's the nature of the beast, and you should be thankful that the company producing this is taking every precaution to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

[Braddock]

Just got back. Total waste of time and money. Never again. Not 1 balloon in the air by 7.

[bagboy]

Just got back. Total waste of time and money. Never again. Not 1 balloon in the air by 7.

You could have gone to the Pitbull concert. It was free and benefited a good cause. There isnt anyone within 300 miles that doesn't know about it.:a040:

[Down Sized]

After attending the New Mexico balloon festival and several events in the Midwest, I cannot imagine fighting the circumstances here to see a handful (maybe) of balloons in weather of 96 degrees and 99% humidity. It might be fun for some. GOOD LUCK!

[ColdNoMore]

After attending the New Mexico balloon festival and several events in the Midwest, I cannot imagine fighting the circumstances here to see a handful (maybe) of balloons in weather of 96 degrees and 99% humidity. It might be fun for some. GOOD LUCK!

Yep, just seeing hundreds of balloons launch at sunrise from Fiesta Park in Abq., much less being in one...is an awesome sight to behold. :thumbup:

With the Sandia (Spanish: “Watermelon”) Mountains as a backdrop and all of the burners lit, while it's barely light outside...brings out the 'kid' in most people. :cool:

Balloon Fiesta (https://www.visitalbuquerque.org/balloon-fiesta/)


http://routesrentals.com/blogroll/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/routes-bicycle-tours-albuquerque-balloon-fiesta-bike-tour-6.png

[twoplanekid]

Our guests from Ohio and Northern Ireland really enjoyed the balloon glow last night. Has everything gone smoothly at this event? I personally look at things that could be improved. Except for the heat, I have enjoyed manning the VVA tent and talking to everyone.

[Madelaine Amee]

There were several up this morning in the early sun, just beautiful. I know it is not the New Mexico balloon festival, but it is nice to see them floating through the air.

[anothersteve]

Are the tickets good for the day? Meaning, can you leave and come back later? I would imagine it's like the golf festival, once you leave you have to pay to come back?
Steve

[Goldwingnut]

Just a short peek at the Balloon Festival this morning.

The Villages Balloon Festival 2019 - YouTube (https://youtu.be/E6Kr6ApD2HE)

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Just a short peek at the Balloon Festival this morning.

The Villages Balloon Festival 2019 - YouTube (https://youtu.be/E6Kr6ApD2HE)

Thanks! Beautiful balloons, it's great they were able to rise today!

[JoMar]

Just a short peek at the Balloon Festival this morning.

The Villages Balloon Festival 2019 - YouTube (https://youtu.be/E6Kr6ApD2HE)

Thanks for sharing......this was really the first year, and hopefully as word in that community gets out, may grown.