PHOTOS: Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival in Middletown
A couple of months ago, a fleet of 85 hot air balloons set a new world record by crossing the English Channel together.
Locally, The Ohio Challenge returns to Middletown's Smith Park this summer for one of Butler County's most unique festivals.
The festival features more than 30 colorful hot air balloons, a laser show, a night balloon glow, skydiving, fireworks and more, according to organizers. It will take place July 21-22.
PHOTOS: Hot air balloons fill the sky in New Mexico
Here are 5 facts from organizers of the The Ohio Challenge Balloon Festival in Middletown about hot air balloons:
- If you have an open area on your property, away from trees or electric wires, and welcome a balloon crew to use that spot to launch or land, place a bed sheet on the ground at the location you are offering. That is the universal welcome sign for hot air balloon pilots.
- No balloon goes out without a chase crew, the van or truck following along on the ground as the balloon flies overhead. The crew helps the balloonist when launching or landing.
- "Splash and dash" is a method used by balloonists to change direction. Touching down on a body of water and then immediately lifting off again will often change the direction of flight.
- In 1783, brothers Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier tested a theory that smoky hot air would lift a payload by sending a sheep, a chicken and a duck on a short hot air balloon flight. The sheep kicked the chicken and broke its wing, hence the first hot air balloon accident.
- Hot air balloon designs are chosen by the pilot. Special shape balloons are generally the most expensive to make and sometimes the most difficult to fly. While balloon designs are generally not trademark designs, it would be considered a breach of etiquette for a pilot to copy another pilot's design — except for corporate balloon fleets that carry a sponsor trademark.
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