MONROE - The Monroe Balloon Rally could be considered a success, organizer Matt Urban said Saturday, despite some foul weather early in the event.
In addition to the balloons, people showed up at the Green County Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday to listen to some of the musical acts, sample food from a variety of non-profit organizations and to meet friends for the day. The event also included a balloon glow at dusk Saturday, where the balloons are inflated and appear to glow in the dark.
Poor weather conditions Friday and Saturday mornings forced the cancellation of scheduled balloon flights. However, after Friday's storms, Saturday's sun and cooler temperatures seemed to put people in a good mood.
The balloon pilots like to come to Monroe because of the scenery they get to view as they fly across Green County, Urban said.
The balloons are what attract people to the fairgrounds. People gather in the hopes to see the balloons being inflated and slowly lifted off into the sky.
But the rally has grown into something bigger, he said.
"If we didn't have the balloons here I would call this a community festival," Urban said.
Crowds listened to local group "Fedora" while kids played on some the rides at the other end of the fairgrounds, Saturday.
Mostly, it appeared people took time out to relax and enjoy the afternoon.
"We know we're going to have a good time when we come here," said Mary Daley, Monroe.
She and her husband, Jerry, have attended the balloon rally before. Even when they lived in Milwaukee they came to the rally, she said.
Now that they live in Monroe, they come to the rally every year, Jerry said.
"This has been a wonderful weekend," Urban said.
In addition to the balloons, people showed up at the Green County Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday to listen to some of the musical acts, sample food from a variety of non-profit organizations and to meet friends for the day. The event also included a balloon glow at dusk Saturday, where the balloons are inflated and appear to glow in the dark.
Poor weather conditions Friday and Saturday mornings forced the cancellation of scheduled balloon flights. However, after Friday's storms, Saturday's sun and cooler temperatures seemed to put people in a good mood.
The balloon pilots like to come to Monroe because of the scenery they get to view as they fly across Green County, Urban said.
The balloons are what attract people to the fairgrounds. People gather in the hopes to see the balloons being inflated and slowly lifted off into the sky.
But the rally has grown into something bigger, he said.
"If we didn't have the balloons here I would call this a community festival," Urban said.
Crowds listened to local group "Fedora" while kids played on some the rides at the other end of the fairgrounds, Saturday.
Mostly, it appeared people took time out to relax and enjoy the afternoon.
"We know we're going to have a good time when we come here," said Mary Daley, Monroe.
She and her husband, Jerry, have attended the balloon rally before. Even when they lived in Milwaukee they came to the rally, she said.
Now that they live in Monroe, they come to the rally every year, Jerry said.
"This has been a wonderful weekend," Urban said.