The 37th Annual Monroe Balloon and Bands festival took place over Father’s Day Weekend, June 19-20.

While wind and some rain dampened the mood for launches on Friday night and Saturday morning, the skies cleared enough by Saturday evening for a late launch and night glow, pleasing the crowd at the Green County Fairgrounds. Tethered rides by the public were also available for a fee.

A swarm of vehicles chased the nearly dozen hot air balloons southeast of Monroe to catch a glimpse at one of mankind’s oldest flying contraptions sail overtop of picturesque countryside.

Not long after the 7 p.m. launch, the balloons returned to the fairgrounds for a night glow on the infield. Families and spectators could walk from balloon to balloon to take pictures, chat with the pilots, or even collect baseball card-style souvenirs.

The festival also contained carnival rides from Wenzel’s Amusements, pony rides, live music from a seven different regional bands, car show, a tractor show, the Saturday morning pancake breakfast, a craft fair, retail booths and a large quantity of food and drink stands.

The Monroe Rural Fire District held a demonstration in front of the grandstands on Saturday afternoon. The demonstration included an appearance by a UW Med Flight helicopter. Another special guest appearance was made by the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile at the car show, with Oscar Mayer employees taking pictures of smiling festival-goers and handed out commemorative “weinie whistles”.

Profits from the event go to the ARC of Green County. ARC serves and promotes the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the area. Organizers were expecting about 20,000 people to attend the festival.

— Adam Krebs