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Regatta Balloon Competition

The Three Rivers Regatta is the venue for a hot air balloon competition in August, 2002. It's fun watching the balloons being prepared for flight. Photographs can't capture the feeling of being amongst these monsters! BIG, bright colors surround you as you watch the excitement of preparation and listen to fans inflate and propane torches blow firey heat into the balloons to elevate them for flight.

A pace balloon takes off first. It selects an appropriate site for landing and drops a large 'X' on the ground which becomes the target for the other balloons. The balloonist who drops his beanbag closest to the 'X,' wins. Then the chase vehicles arrive to pack up and transport pilots and equipment home to fly again another day. Great fun!

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Sunrise
Sunrise		 but the pre-dawn skyline is pretty! (Pittsburgh, river)
but the pre-dawn skyline is pretty! (Pittsburgh, river)		 Early morning is time to take some local shots...before the balloons take off. Towboat in early morning
Early morning is time to take some local shots...before the balloons take off. Towboat in early morning
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Morning mist hangs over the rivers (Pittsburgh, river)

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 Overlooks sit precariously over the hillside full of people ready for the show.
Overlooks sit precariously over the hillside full of people ready for the show.		 Trib balloon sets pace...the infamous 'X' dropper! (Pittsburgh)
Trib balloon sets pace...the infamous 'X' dropper! (Pittsburgh)
Fountain and balloons
Fountain and balloons		 84 touches down in the river doing tricks, showing off.... (balloon, Pittsburgh, Heinz Stadium)
84 touches down in the river doing tricks, showing off.... (balloon, Pittsburgh, Heinz Stadium)		 before flying over the stadium. (Pittsburgh)
before flying over the stadium. (Pittsburgh)
Balloons over the point (balloon, Pittsburgh, bridge, river)
Balloons over the point (balloon, Pittsburgh, bridge, river)		 Balloons rise at the point
Balloons rise at the point		 City Balloons (Pittsburgh, smog)
City Balloons (Pittsburgh, smog)
City View (Pittsburgh, smog)
City View (Pittsburgh, smog)		 Fading over the city before they fly upriver.... (Pittsburgh, balloon)
Fading over the city before they fly upriver.... (Pittsburgh, balloon)		 where chase vehicles and teams communicate with the balloonists from the ground and prepare to pick them up at the landing site.
where chase vehicles and teams communicate with the balloonists from the ground and prepare to pick them up at the landing site.
Jono Birthday.jpg
Jono Birthday.jpg
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