The Sullair ballon firing up. Photo: Carol Terracina Hartman.

The recent 28th annual Michigan Challenge Balloonfest  in Howell, Mich., provided a fun-filled weekend for attendees to play games, watch fireworks and enjoy the launch of several hot air balloons!

The hot air balloon ‘glow’, in which pilots and their crew gather in the Landing Zone and fire up their balloons as darkness falls is a highlight of the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest. With 44 participants this year, the “glow” featured more than a dozen balloonists and their crew during the glow.

The crew of the Sullair balloon, piloted by Shawn Raya, of Oxford, Michigan, launches the balloon for the “glow”.

Photo: Carol Terracina Hartman.

Photo: Carol Terracina Hartman.

Photo: Carol Terracina Hartman.

Above, Airwaves One (WHMI), PNC Bank, Michigan CAT, SullAir and “Andy”, sponsored by Paulsen’s Construction, show their colors.

Photo: Carol Terracina Hartman.

Pilots and their crew prepare for to launch the balloons. Above, pilots and crews from God’s Promise, of Oxford, Michigan, “Pixeley” from Merrill, Michigan, “Superfluous” from Livonia, Michigan and “Airwaves One” of Howell, gather in the Launch Zone and take their positions.