47th Great Pershing Balloon Derby

Safety and Clothing Tips

Dress in layers.
It's sometimes very cool in the morning, but after the sun comes up it will warm up noticeably.
Bring sunscreen to put on after the sun is up.
You're at risk for sunburn if you are exposed for an extended amount of time.
Bring appropriate eye protection.
Sun and wind could be your enemies on a bright, sunny or windy day.
Don't smoke anywhere near the balloons!
A lit cigarette could possibly ignite a balloon's fuel tank and an ash can melt the balloon envelope.
Decide among your group where you could meet in case someone gets separated or lost.
Make sure your children have some identification on them.
Watch where you're going! Don't "drive and watch" at the same time.
The balloons are a magnificent but distracting sight. Move completely off to the side of the road to watch.
Beware of vehicles moving around the field, especially emergency vehicles needing to get through the crowd.
For evening events, bring a flashlight.
Also, take note of where you have parked your car. It's more difficult to find in the dark.

Photography Tips

Move in Close:
Create simpler, bolder pictures that are not cluttered with unwanted detail. Close-ups provide variety and add interest to pictures. Take the overall view, then a tight view, then some close-ups of the details.

Subject Placement in the Frame:
Off-center placement of your subject creates a dynamic balance.

Watch the Background:
Look for simple backgrounds to minimize distraction from the subject. Explore the variety of viewpoints available for your subject. A low angle, looking into the blue sky can produce a simple and pleasant background. Try a low angle when posing friends near a balloon.

Front Lighting:
When the sun shines over your shoulder you'll capture the brightest and most saturated colors.

Side Lighting:
When the light shines across the scene, the mix of light and shadow creates a realistic, 3D looking photograph with an excellent feeling for depth and texture.

The magic hour of twilight:
Dawn or dusk create beautiful lighting opportunities where the warmth of "Balloon Glow" blends with velvet blue of muted skylight. Photographers call this "the jewel box effect". Twilight and night are low levels of light which require high speed films, like Kodacolor Royal Gold 1000 to Twilight and night are low levels of light which require high speed films, such as 800 or 1000 speeds.

Lens Choice:
Normal (50 mm) or wide angle (24, 28 or 35mm) allows moving close to the balloons to avoid people. Telephoto, or telephoto zoom (70-210mm) for details out of reach.

Keep Your Camera Steady!
Gently squeeze the shutter release for sharper photos.

Keep Shutter Speeds Fast!
Faster shutter speeds, such as a 1/250 of a second generally provide sharper pictures when using telephoto lenses and hand-holding your camera.

FAQ's

What weather is needed for a hot air balloon flight?
There needs to be no frontal activity or rain in the area. The winds need to be under 10 miles per hour.

What time are flights scheduled?
Flights are scheduled at sunrise and just before sunset because that is when the winds are the calmest.

What time do we meet?
Morning flights meet a half an hour before sunrise and evening flights meet three hours before sunset.

How long will the flight last?
Flights are 45 minutes to an hour.

What's the temperature in the balloon?
The temperature does not change much from the ground to our top altitude. You lose three degrees every 1,000 feet. So if it is 75 degrees on the ground at 1,000 feet it will be 72 degrees.

What does it feel like?
Flying in a balloon is like nothing else you will ever experience! You're part of the wind gliding along above the treetops. A ride in a balloon is a very smooth, peaceful, enjoyable experience.

What altitude will be reached?
We will fly anywhere from tree-top level to several thousand feet.

What is the balloon made of?
Hot-air balloons are made of a polyester or nylon material.

What kind of fuel is used?
Propane is the fuel used for flying hot-air balloons. Therefore, due to the flammable nature of propane, smoking is never allowed during your ballooning experience.

What do I need to bring?
Bring your cameras, comfortable clothing, and a great attitude and we will have a lot of fun!

Parking and Ticket Info

Gates open at 4:00 pm Saturday and Sunday

Launch Site Admission:

$3.00 per person or maximum of $10.00 per vehicle; Children under 4 FREE

Weekend Passes:

Available for $20.00 at NCM Graphics in advance or at the gate during the Derby. Allows admission of all occupants of one vehicle onto Spectator Field

Map and Directions

Click on the View Larger Map link below to get directions etc.

Myron Peacher Memorial Launch Field

Just West of Brookfield