What to bring What to bring

Shrum's balloon launch recommendations:

+ Camera or phone

+ Chairs

+ Flashlight

+ Light Jacket or blanket

+ Plenty of patience

LET’S FLY

The 605 team headed to the Hot Springs Municipal Airport before 5 a.m. on Saturday for the opportunity to float into the horizon with a couple of the hot air balloon pilots.

Saturday and Sunday, there are typically balloon launches if the weather permits it, according to Mears.

“It’s a pretty unique experience in South Dakota to have that many balloons in one place at one time and enjoy that at no cost to the spectators,” said balloon-meister Tamie Shrum

Upon arrival, each member of the team signed in before heading over to grab some caffeine and muffins served by the Hot Springs Rotary Club. While we waited for the pilots to arrive, we browsed the large selection of hot air balloon gift items offered by Discover Balloons from New Mexico.

Next, the team headed over to meet our assigned pilots.

605’s Alana Snyder and I were passengers in pilot Garrett Williams’s basket, while Cailyn Patterson and John Snyder flew alongside seasoned pilot Hank Humiston

As Williams and his team inflated the balloon, Alana and I climbed into the basket, nearly missing takeoff as we were busy watching the surrounding balloons rise from the dewy grass.

“It was 30 hot air balloons and two special-shaped balloons,” said Shrum.

Williams says that as a game for the balloon pilots, there’s a target along the path where the pilots can drop a bean bag, trying to get closest to the target. Throughout the flight, we took in the view and captured a few fun photos.

Since it was Cailyn’s first flight, they experienced the tradition of popping champagne, catching the cork, and enjoying a sparkling glass upon landing.

While the majority of the balloons left the field, last year’s festival was lucky enough to have two special-shaped balloons present: Darth Vader and Yoda . They remained static on the field for spectators to get up close.

“Special shapes are more expensive to own and equally more difficult to fly, but we had the ability to have them as a favor,” said Shrum.