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    Friday morning balloon launch offers sneak peak at what’s ahead this weekend [Photos]

    Thirteen hot air balloons soared over Riverton Friday morning as part of “media day” at the 38th Riverton Rendezvous balloon rally.

    Six more balloons will join them Saturday and Sunday, launching at approximately 6:00 a.m. both days at the Central Wyoming College soccer fields. Riverton is one of the few remaining balloon rallies, in which attendees can actually get up close to the balloons as they inflate and launch. The event is free and open to the public.

    County 10 was lucky enough to tag along with one of Riverton’s favorite balloons this morning, Cloud Kisser III, piloted by Mike Shelley. Cloud Kisser III is not to be confused with Cloud Kisser II, which was also flying over Riverton this morning and piloted by Pat Newlin. And for those interested, the original Cloud Kisser was retired in the mid 1990’s.

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    Other pilots from Sheridan, Alberta, Canada, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and California joined the Riverton balloons this morning. Slight wind gusts during the inflation process didn’t last long as most balloons reported calm conditions for their flight and landing.

    Shelley has been involved in ballooning for 14 years and explained to us that he had grown up in Riverton and loved the balloon rally as a kid. Eventually his love for balloons translated into becoming a pilot. He flies frequently over Riverton, but also attends rallies in several states including New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona.

    During our flight, he expressed how lucky he felt the community of Riverton is when it comes to ballooning, telling us that for a town of this size, there are an extraordinary amount of opportunities to get involved with hot air balloons, year-round. Shelley noted that the Riverton Balloon Club can “always use help” from community members of all abilities and experience levels.

    If 19 balloons for the Saturday and Sunday rally seems low, that’s because it is a bit lower than normal. The number of attendees usually hangs in the mid 20’s, some year’s in the low 30’s. However, in 2018, the Casper Balloon Rally is happening during the same weekend. Usually, Casper’s rally is the following week. Unfortunately this year, there was a scheduling conflict with Casper’s launch field, so some of the area balloons that normally fly in Riverton, are in Casper this weekend.

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    Check out the photos from our flight this morning below, and the remaining schedule of events from this weekend’s Riverton Rendezvous festivities!

    Friday, July 20:

    Balloon Rally Celebrity Speaker – 5:00 p.m. – Spur Steakhouse

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    Rails to Trails 11th annual Music on the River Walk – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Rails to Trails Riverton

    Rocky Mountain Car & Bike Friday Night Cruise – Parade 6:00 p.m. from CWC to Downtown

    Rocky Mountain Car & Bike Friday Night Cruise – Downtown Riverton – 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

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    Saturday, July 21:

    Hot Air Balloon Rally – 6:00 a.m. – CWC Launch Field

    Hot air balloon tethered rides – 7:00 a.m. – CWC Launch Field

    Kiwanis Family Pancake Breakfast – 6:00 a.m. – CWC Launch Field

    20th Annual Rocky Mountain Car & Bike Show – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – CWC South Lawn

    Rocky Mountain Car & Bike Auto Cross & Swap Meet – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – CWC South Lawn

    Heritage Center Activities & Tours – 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Heritage Center Museum

    Hot air balloon glow – 8:30 p.m. – CWC Launch Field

    Fireworks – 10:00 p.m. – Airport Hill

    Sunday, July 22:

    Hot Air Balloon Rally – 6:00 a.m. – CWC Launch Field

     

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