Lighten Up Memorial Day weekend at this year’s Chagrin Falls Balloon Glow. As the centerpiece of the Blossom Time festival, this light show starts just before sunset May 23 at Chagrin Falls High School. Ten balloonists will ascend into the sky for an hour-long flight before returning at dusk to flicker to the beat of a local DJ. Balloonist Craig Lucas shares cool facts about hot air balloons.
Wind Power
At altitude, hot air balloons can go up to 65 miles per hour. Even in rough spots, the basket feels like the eye of a tornado. “You could put a Kleenex at the edge of the basket, and it wouldn’t even flutter, because you’re part of the wind,” says Lucas.
Heavy Lifting
Towering eight stories high and 55 feet wide, Lucas’ hot air balloon can carry 1,640 pounds. “If it’s 90 degrees, then it takes more heat and you can’t lift as much,” says Lucas, “but on a cold day, you can lift more.”
Flame On
Propane fuels the balloon’s liftoff. Although you could flip a burger with roughly 10 thousand BTUs, or British thermal units, the burners on a hot air balloon are almost 3,000 times hotter than your backyard barbecue. “Your gas grill is usually [around] 20,000 BTUs,” says Lucas. “Mine is 51 million.”
Chagrin Falls' Blossom Time Sets Sail
As 10 balloonists ascend into the sky, we give you three crazy hot air balloon facts ahead of the May 23 event.
