VENI ETIAM PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Home
  • SHOP
  • SEASONAL DECOR
  • Blog
  • About me
  • About my shots
  • Français
    • MON ESPRIT
    • MON REGARD
    • CONTACTEZ-MOI

International des Montgolfières in St-Jean sur Richelieu

16/8/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Some experiences ​make you feel like a child again. 

Gazing up at the sky in wonder at the International Balloon Festival of St Jean sur Richelieu, I felt like I was six, with cotton candy on my fingers, a clip barely holding my messy sunkissed hair, a wide smile frozen on my face and a giddy fluttering sensation in my belly. What a wondrous thing, to be launched into the sky at dusk with only a general sense of direction, knowing full well that the winds could change at any moment, not knowing at all where or how exactly the landing would take place. 
Picture
That is the fate of some hundred hot air balloons of different colors, patterns and shapes that are sent into the sky with their passengers twice a day at this festival, at the mercy of the strength and direction of the winds. As the announcer explained to all of us gathered on site to watch the spectacular launch around 6pm, winds tend to be higher in speed at ground level than at high altitudes, and tend to drop as the sun dips in the sky when it sets. While they can send up balloon probes and measure the winds with fancy instruments, there still remains an element of uncertainty and surprise that the actual hot air balloons can only experience directly once high over our heads. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
It takes great skill and experience to inflate and man these balloons. Some of the special shaped balloons like animals or characters are much thicker in material and trickier to fill. It is astonishing to watch them come to life in a vast field as they slowly grow from folded up parachutes tucked inside little trucks until the flag is finally waved. An orange flag means they are testing the winds and will reach a decision about the flight path soon. A green flag means the balloons are ready for liftoff! The "pursuit" crews climb into their trucks to follow the balloons to wherever they land. And so the balloons are pulled and held and filled and fueled, until suddenly they glide up, up and away gracefully over hundreds of waving hands and shrieking voices aged 6 through 60. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
The announcer animates the take-off, introducing sponsors and presenting facts, all of which makes the experience even more captivating. 
And though you know they are gliding steadily through space, the balloons somehow look suspended in time, hanging like teardrops, like wishes, like dreams about to come true.

You look up, making a memory, recording the perfectly orchestrated scene of balloons, birds and the gentle breeze in the setting sun. You feel connected through an invisible portal to all those who gathered to witness hot air balloon flights in history, going all the way back to Paris in 1783. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
When the balloons are far on the horizon, there is still much fun to be had, with vast fair grounds, virtual reality demonstrations, food trucks, lounge areas and a live concert on a big stage. The park is full without being crowded, and everyone seems happy. I can't think of a better way to spend a mid-August evening. 
Visit the International des Montgolfières website for more details.
Picture
Have you ever watched a hot-air balloon take flight? Have you ever been on one? Share your experience in a comment below! 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Like this post? You'll also enjoy:
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Kristina Kasparian

    Thanks for stopping by! #OnTheBlog are the stories behind my prints, posts about my travels, glimpses into my daily life, news about my shop, events in the Montreal community and tips on travel, home and photography. 

    Merci de visiter mon blogue! Vous y trouverez les histoires qui ont donné naissance à mes photographies, mes chroniques de voyage, un aperçu de ma vie quotidienne, des nouvelles sur ma boutique et mes conseils sur les voyages, sur la déco maison et sur la photographie. 

    Picture
    Follow

    Categories

    All
    5 Photos
    Artisan Fairs
    Beginning
    Birthday Blog Series
    Boutiques
    Cards For A Cause
    Community
    Contests
    En Français
    En Français
    Feature Friday
    Fundraising
    Home Decor Tips
    Inspiration
    In The Community
    In The Maker Studio Series
    Last Weekend Series
    Made Me Look Series
    Mindfulness Monday
    Musings Series
    My Brand Story
    New In Shop Series
    News
    Nostalgia
    Photo Tips
    Press
    Products
    Promotions
    Rediscoveries
    Shopping
    Social Media
    This Is Me
    Tips
    Travel
    Travel Reviews
    Travel Tips
    What's In A Name Series
    Your Favorites Series

    Previous posts

    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Picture
    Follow on Instagram!

    Upcoming events

    Boutique Éphémère Etsy Vaudreuil-Soulanges - Virtual market: November 2-8 novembre

    ​

    Le Marché Etsy Des Fêtes - Collectif Créatif Montréal: November 14-15 novembre


    ​
    Shop on Etsy!

    Special offers

    Don't miss out on any special offers.
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed

© Kristina Kasparian | Veni Etiam Photography
​Montreal (QC), Canada
Privacy policy | Terms of Use | Disclaimer
About | VIP List | Reviews | FAQ | Contact & Wholesale | Products at a glance | Etsy | Instagram