MONROE - Balloons of all colors rose from the Green County Fairgrounds Saturday to thrill the crowd who came out to take part in the balloon rally.
Unlike Friday, when severe thunderstorms caused the flights to be canceled, Saturday was clear with just enough of a breeze to push the balloons to the southeast.
"This is going to be a great evening," balloon rally organizer Matt Urban told the crowd.
Jeff Trzebiatowski, Appleton, said Saturday was the first time he ever took off from the fairgrounds.
He looked forward to it, he said.
"There's some beautiful scenery around here," Trzebiatowski said.
Balloonist Mark Leibelt, Friendship, was the first to get his balloon off the ground. Leibelt was also designated as the first pilot to leave the fairgrounds. Fifteen other balloons followed as soon as soon as they could be filled with propane and ready for lift-off.
"It a bouquet of balloons," one of the spectators on the ground said, as the balloons began to take off.
Saturday night's launch was the first one of the weekend due to the poor weather conditions Friday night and Saturday morning.
Don Brown, Monroe, was on hand to take in the sight. Brown has been a balloon enthusiast since he won a free flight in a balloon in 1987.
"It's fun to watch them go up in the air," he said. "I like to see all of the colors."
The balloons proved popular for people of all ages.
Grace Versnik, 4, Monroe, said she liked to see the balloons.
But, she wasn't the only little one who appeared excited.
"I do, too," Dylan Lewis, 3, said, with a smile.
Unlike Friday, when severe thunderstorms caused the flights to be canceled, Saturday was clear with just enough of a breeze to push the balloons to the southeast.
"This is going to be a great evening," balloon rally organizer Matt Urban told the crowd.
Jeff Trzebiatowski, Appleton, said Saturday was the first time he ever took off from the fairgrounds.
He looked forward to it, he said.
"There's some beautiful scenery around here," Trzebiatowski said.
Balloonist Mark Leibelt, Friendship, was the first to get his balloon off the ground. Leibelt was also designated as the first pilot to leave the fairgrounds. Fifteen other balloons followed as soon as soon as they could be filled with propane and ready for lift-off.
"It a bouquet of balloons," one of the spectators on the ground said, as the balloons began to take off.
Saturday night's launch was the first one of the weekend due to the poor weather conditions Friday night and Saturday morning.
Don Brown, Monroe, was on hand to take in the sight. Brown has been a balloon enthusiast since he won a free flight in a balloon in 1987.
"It's fun to watch them go up in the air," he said. "I like to see all of the colors."
The balloons proved popular for people of all ages.
Grace Versnik, 4, Monroe, said she liked to see the balloons.
But, she wasn't the only little one who appeared excited.
"I do, too," Dylan Lewis, 3, said, with a smile.