Hot air balloons line the edge of a pond during the first hot air balloon festival at BREC’s Community Park in 2023 in Zachary, Louisiana.
- FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
A hot air balloon glows during the first hot air balloon festival at BREC’s Community Park in, 2023 in Zachary, Louisiana.
- FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
The hot air balloon Delta Breeze lifts off giving tethered rides during the first hot air balloon festival at BREC’s Community Park in 2023 in Zachary, Louisiana.
- FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Jessie Fudge, of Blessed Sweets and Treats, makes cotton candy during the first hot air balloon festival at BREC’s Community Park on in 2023 in Zachary, Louisiana.
- FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Baylor Guidry rides a mechanical bull from Essay Rentals during the first Really Hot Air Balloon Festival at BREC’s Community Park in 2023 in Zachary, Louisiana.
- FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
2 min to read
Leila Pitchford
Hot air balloons line the edge of a pond during the first hot air balloon festival at BREC’s Community Park in 2023 in Zachary, Louisiana.
- FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
A hot air balloon glows during the first hot air balloon festival at BREC’s Community Park in, 2023 in Zachary, Louisiana.
- FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
The hot air balloon Delta Breeze lifts off giving tethered rides during the first hot air balloon festival at BREC’s Community Park in 2023 in Zachary, Louisiana.
- FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Jessie Fudge, of Blessed Sweets and Treats, makes cotton candy during the first hot air balloon festival at BREC’s Community Park on in 2023 in Zachary, Louisiana.
- FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Baylor Guidry rides a mechanical bull from Essay Rentals during the first Really Hot Air Balloon Festival at BREC’s Community Park in 2023 in Zachary, Louisiana.
- FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
The second Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival kicks off at noon Saturday.
Shawnel Hebert said it’s “very exciting, especially for me. It’s something I wanted for my family and community.”
She grew up with a father as a balloon pilot and traveled to shows across the country. “Dad was a pilot and traveled to other shows, and I wanted to have one here.”
She said the first show last year was like a dream and at year two “it’s real.”
Hebert said organizers listened to last year’s attendees and made changes, including extended hours. Also, a lot of changes were made to help people deal with the heat.
Changes include the addition of tents for people to gather shaded from the sun, air-conditioned bathroom trailers instead of traditional portable toilets; and a section of the park for people to put up their own small canopies.
United Rentals donated the use of misting fans, and the festival is providing shaded cooling stations.
BREC will have the splash pad running, so parents are encouraged to have swimwear for kids.
Hebert reminds people to dress for the heat, with especially cool clothing and sunscreen.
The event is free admission and people are encouraged to bring chairs, but not ice chests.
The day starts early with a pilot meeting at 5:30 a.m. The pilots will fly over Zachary starting about 6 a.m. or 6:30 a.m. The community is invited to watch.
Plans are to takeoff from BREC Zachary Community Park, but conditions could force a change. People who want to watch the takeoff are encouraged to be there at the meeting time and then follow the carpool to the new launch site, Hebert said.
Schedule
From noon to 2 p.m., the Zachary Cars and Coffee group will show their classic cars at the park.
Nita Edwards, who runs Zachary’s Farmers and Artisans Market, has gathered vendors for the day. More than 55 have signed up to sell homemade lip gloss, jams and jellies, tumblers, shirts, wood items and more, Hebert said.
BREC will have its games there and is expanding the Kids Zone. Louisiana Healthcare Connection is hosting a second Kids Zone.
Joey Welch, who owns the local Bean Dip Factory food truck, is in charge of food trucks for the day. Sixteen trucks from around the state will be selling food. Other food includes funnel cakes, sno-balls and lemonade.
From noon to 4 p.m., local DJ Rodney Brown will be entertaining attendees, and at 4 p.m. Zachary High graduate and LSU student Lucy Yoes, along with Justin Shotwell, will perform an acoustic musical set.
At 6 p.m., the Chase Tyler band will play.
David Gautreaux, owner of Sneaux Season, another Zachary food truck, is overseeing the alcohol tents. An addition to the festivities is a daiquiri truck.
The balloon glow is set for 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., and tethered rides start at 6 p.m. The rides are $20 for ages 12 and up and $15 for 11 and under. Cash, cards and various apps will be accepted on site.
Hebert emphasizes that all balloon activities are weather dependent and may change start times. The rides and glow could start early if weather conditions indicate a change.
A golf cart company will be offering transportation to the ends of the park.
The Zachary committee held an art contest recently and the winner’s artwork will be available on T-shirts for the day.
Hebert said they just learned the Washington Parish balloon festival will have its queens visiting for the day. A meet-and-greet will be scheduled.
She said the sponsors, BREC and the Downtown Live at the Gazebo committee all played a role in getting this year’s festival going.
Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate.com.
Leila Pitchford
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