NEWS

More balloons flying and glowing highlight Saturday for a full crowd at Freer Field

Staff Report
Ashland Times-Gazette
Last Gasp, piloted by Shannon Rote of Doylestown flies during Saturday morning BalloonFest activities at Freer Field
Balloons fill the sky during Saturday evening's balloon launch at Freer Field on Saturday for Ashland BalloonFest.

ASHLAND - BalloonFest enjoyed a third nice day of mostly sunny, warm and calm weather on Saturday, allowing balloons to fly in the sky in the morning and evening and glow at night.

The Balloonfest 5K run was one of several activities Saturday during Ashland BalloonFest
Ashland BalloonFest saw a good-size crowd Saturday at Freer Field.

People enjoyed many other activities besides the balloons, including a 5K run and a pancake breakfast and fly-in at the Ashland County Airport in the morning and a cornhole tournament in the afternoon at Freer Field.

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Balloons start rising during Saturday evening's balloon launch at Ashland BalloonFest activities at Freer Field.
Thingamajigger pilot Pat Karl installs his burner during Saturday evening at Ashland BalloonFest at Freer Field.

Freer Field was filled Saturday evening with kids activities, food vendors and a live band, Avec Amour, playing a variety of classic rock.

The balloon glow at night took place in memory of balloon pilot John Moran, who died during the 2018 BalloonFest from an injury sustained after he landed his balloon north of Ashland. Moran, of Cortland, was 74. He was a 23-year BalloonFest veteran.

Nine balloons participated in Saturday's balloon glow.

Balloons take to the skies the second evening of BalloonFest Friday, June 24, 2022 at Freer Field.

A warm June evening Friday provided an inviting backdrop to the second evening of BalloonFest, where large crowds turned out to see numerous balloons take to the skies. 

Balloons start inflating to take to the skies the second evening of BalloonFest Friday, June 24, 2022 at Freer Field.
Kids try out bubble soccer in the Kids Fun Zone during BalloonFest Friday, June 24, 2022 at Freer Field.
Jaxon Croucher, 5, rides a pony in the Kids Fun Zone at BalloonFest Friday, June 24, 2022 at Freer Field.
Autumn Steiner, 8, enjoys an inflatable in the Kids Fun Zone at BalloonFest Friday, June 24, 2022 at Freer Field.

As The Roadhouse Band played familiar hits Friday, those who weren't parked on a blanket or chairs at Freer Field enjoyed food vendors, and families lined up for the many amusements in the Kids Fun Zone.

Bubble soccer, several inflatables, pony rides and a balloon artist, as well as the opportunity to pose with Disney princesses were some of the popular attractions for kids, along with the Ashland Library Bookmobile. 

A member of Aerohio Skydiving lands on the field during second evening of BalloonFest Friday, June 24, 2022 at Freer Field.

Before the balloons went up, all eyes were on the skies as members of Aerohio Skydiving landed on the launch field.

After 7 p.m. the skies filled with colorful balloons as the green flag was raised, signaling flights for the evening were good to go. The evening closed with another balloon glow as well.