What is a Balloon Tether Ride?
A hot air balloon is held in place or tethered to the ground. Ropes are attached to the balloon and it is allowed to go up only as far as the ropes will allow it. Passengers climb into the basket and the pilot lights the burners. The balloon ascends into the air approximately 40 - 50 feet above the ground and hovers a little while. The balloon then gently descends back to the ground. It is a great way to feel what it would be like to take a hot air balloon ride and to see the field from a slightly higher perspective.
Please note that tickets can not be sold in advance due to weather delays or cancellations. Tickets will begin selling once the launch is confirmed. Please look for signage that indicates height requirements for the rides (approximately 3 feet tall). There is no age requirement, but all participants must be able to climb in to the basket on their own and be able to physically withstand a hard landing.
What is a Balloon Launch?
A launch is a term used when a hot air balloon ascends into the air.
The crew and pilot prepare the hot air balloon for the launch which
takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes total. If there is any sign of a
potentially non-safe flight due to weather, then the launch will be
CANCELLED. Launch Forecasts and Updates will be available on our
Hot-Air Balloons are a type of aircraft that rely on basic scientific principles
to fly. Warm air rises over cooler air, thus the balloon is able to rise when
the burner is thrusted. Pockets of lifting air known as "thermals" must not be present. These thermals are most prominent during the day. Thermals are created by the uneven heating of Earth's surface from solar radiation. This is the reason that balloons fly early morning, just after sunrise, and a couple hours before sunset.
Prior to flight, a "Piball" (or Pilot Balloon) will be released. This is a helium filled balloon that lets the pilots know the general direction of the wind. This is the way the pilots balloon will drift. Wind directions do change based on height (especially if a front is in the area) and pilots must rely on (and know the direction) of the winds aloft. A balloon must also be able to land once in the air so the decision for "Go" or "No Go" for launch must take both the takeoff, flight and a safe landing into consideration.
Here are some weather conditions that we take in to consideration for launches:
- Winds: Winds are obviously the most critical weather phenomena that effects balloons. Winds are the #1 reason that Balloon Flights are cancelled. Balloons fly best with wind speeds ranging from 4 to 6 miles per hour. Balloons will never fly in winds higher than 12 mph. Strong winds can not only damage the balloon, but it can make a pilot overshoot a target, cause a hard landing and require more space for landing.
- Winds Aloft: Winds aloft (or winds at higher altitudes) can also cause a flight to be canceled. There may be almost no wind at the ground, but at altitude, the wind may be blowing at 20 miles per hour. Winds aloft must also be taken into consideration when deciding whether to fly or not.
- Visibility: Balloon Pilots operate under FAA VFR conditions. This means they must have a certain amount of visibility in order to be able to fly (which means NO NIGHT FLYING). Depending on flight location, the visibility must be AT LEAST 1 to 3 miles. For the most part, there will be NO flying in fog.
- Rain: Balloons do not launch in the rain. Rain can damage the balloon and decrease visibility.
- Fronts: There must be no fronts in the area for a balloon launch to occur. Fronts usually come with a change in wind direction or increased wind speeds. If pilots can plan ahead for this, then it may be possible for a launch. But if the front will move through during time of flight, the launch must be canceled.
- Thunderstorms: There must be NO thunderstorms within 100 miles of the launch point for a balloon launch to take place. Thunderstorms present hazards to any type of aircraft, but a balloon is the one aircraft that would be affected most by any type of weather condition. A lightning strike to a balloon is an extremely dangerous hazard. In addition, gust fronts can occur up to 100 miles in advance of a storm or line of storms, which could heavily impact a balloon. If the weather forecast calls for Severe Weather, it is a good bet that the balloons will NOT be launching at that time.
What is a Balloon Glow?
A glow takes place at dusk each night of our event, weather
permitting. During a glow Hot Air Balloons inflate while remaining
tethered to the ground. The crowd will be invited on the field to
get close to the balloons and talk to the pilots and crew.
Event Location
ABOUT US
QUAD CITIES BALLOON FESTIVAL
August 9th & 10th, 2024
The Quad Cities Hot Air Balloon Festival is held at the
Rhythm City Casino Resort
7077 Elmore Avenue
Davenport, IA 52807
PARENT’S ROLE
Event Schedule
Admission is FREE - in lieu of admission we ask that you donate to The QC Veterans Outreach Center.
Friday, August 9, 2024
4:00 p.m. ..............................................Gates Open to Public
4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. ............................Food Vendors
4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. ...........................Bounce Houses for Kids
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ............................CraZy Ex Band
6:00 p.m. ..............................................Balloon Launch
Once Launch occurs the Tethered Rides will begin
Dusk (between 7:45 - 8:45 p.m.) .........Balloon Glow
Saturday, August 10, 2024
3:00 p.m. .............................................Gates Open to Public
3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. ...........................Food Vendors
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ...........................Funktastic 5 Band
3:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. ...........................Bounce Houses for Kids
2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. ...........................Car Show on Launch Field
6:00 p.m. .............................................Balloon Launch
Once Launch occurs the Tethered Rides will begin
Dusk (between 7:45 - 8:45 p.m.)..........Balloon Glow
PLEASE NOTE: All activities are weather dependent. Launch and glow times
may be delayed or canceled because of the weather.