As dawn breaks over the horizon, bursts of color will illuminate the sky with over 20 hot air balloons released, drifting above the plains. For pilots and Manhattan community members alike, this sight is a celebration of craftsmanship, courage and serenity for all. 

On Nov. 7-8, the Flint Hills Balloon Festival will fill the sky with a colorful array of hot air balloons, with events at dawn and sunset to maximize viewing for friends and families alike.

Tyler Jackson, Flint Hills Balloon Festival communications director, explained the origin of this event, and why this year is so special to their team due to the cancellation last year. 

“There is a group of people in Manhattan who love hot air balloons, who wanted to start a festival here in town,” Jackson said. “So they put one together last year. Unfortunately, it got rained out, so they weren’t able to fully execute it to the point they wanted to. So we’ve been calling this year, ‘Flint Hills Balloon Festival 2.0’.”

The Flint Hills Balloon Festival team is attempting to recreate this event and gather more viewers, in the hope of educating community members on the importance of hot air balloons and creating memories for attendees. 

“The main purpose of the Flint Hills Balloon Festival is to create memorable experiences within our community, support local nonprofits and drive tourism to the town we all love full well,” Jackson said. 

This weekend, there are four viewing times for the free event on Nov. 7: at 7 a.m., eight balloons will launch into the sky at Northwest Community Park, and later that night at 6 p.m., the Drive-Thru Balloon Glow at Anneberg Park. An identical schedule will follow the next day, with a larger number of balloons to view, weather permitting. 

Weather conditions are a key factor in launching hot air balloons; the temperature and wind must cooperate for a safe departure and landing. According to What Weather Is Good For Hot Air Ballooning?, “Generally, hot air balloon operators hope for calm but steady winds, with speeds ranging from 3 to 8 miles per hour. … Wind speeds under three miles per hour may make it difficult to steer or land. Additionally, winds exceeding 10 mph can also make landings challenging and contribute to turbulence. Therefore, if the wind is blowing too fast or too slow, hot air balloon flights are typically postponed until the conditions are safer.” 

The team asks for understanding as they move through this weekend. Since attendees are learning, so are they.  

“We are going through a lot of trial and error, so we just ask for some patience, but otherwise, enjoy the weekend and get as many photos as possible,” Jackson said. “If you find yourself curious about hot air balloons, talk to the pilots. If you want to get up close and personal, come out to the balloon launches. I know it is early, and it’ll be a little chilly but it’ll be worth it.”

For more information, visit https://www.visitmanhattanks.org/event/2nd-annual-flint-hills-balloon-festival/4944/.