The Balloon Fest

“Hey Midge!” called Booker-T as he ran across the yard to her front porch. “Where are you?”

“I'm here,” said Midge as she came walking from the back yard. “What are you doing this morning?”

“I thought we were going to Jake's together this morning,” said Booker-T. “Since we live right next door to each other, I thought it would be nice if we walk together every morning.”

“That would be good Booker-T,” agreed Midge. “I like that idea. But you aren't always able to come out the door early. You have to wait for your mistress to open your cat door.”

“I know,” said Booker-T. “I heard her telling someone that she was going to be leaving for work an hour earlier now in the mornings and getting off work an hour earlier.”

“That is good,” said Midge. “I like walking to Jake's with you.”

“Are you ready to go?” asked Booker-T. “I am ready.”

“What is the big hurry this morning?” asked Midge. “What is going on this morning at Jake's house?”

“Do you know what a balloon fest is?” asked Booker-T.

“Oh sure,” said Midge. “That is when a bunch of people with these really big balloons get together and fly them out of the park.”

“Oh wow,” said Booker-T. “That sounds like fun.”

“The balloons are really pretty,” said Midge. “Some look like animals, some are just big round balloons with pictures or words on them, some look like other things too.”

“Come on lets go,” said Booker-T. “We don't want to miss them.”

“We are okay,” said Midge. “Today is the first day of the balloon fest so they will be setting up their balloons this afternoon and getting them ready for something called a balloon glow this evening.”

“What is a balloon glow?” asked Booker-T.

“It is where they set up the balloons and light up the burners that make them fly and the balloon glows of the light in the darkness,” said Gabby flying down from the tree above them. “You will like it Booker-T. They are so pretty when they light up at night and they look like they glow.”

“I want to see this glow thing,” said Booker-T. “It sounds really pretty.”

“It is,” said Midge. “Come on, lets go get Jake.”

“We have a long time to wait for the glow tonight,” said Gabby. “What is the big hurry?”

“I want to see the balloons,” said Booker-T. “Can't we see them before this glow thing tonight?”

“Sure,” said Midge. “The balloon and their owners will probably be starting to arrive soon and will be testing the burners and the balloons before the glow tonight. We can see what kind of balloons they have.”

The two of them walked up the sidewalk to the corner and turned toward Jake's house. They hurried along the sidwalk til they reached Jake's place. Midge pushed open the gate to the front yard and the two of them entered with Gabby flying above them. Gabby landed on the porch railing in front of the swing where Jake was napping.
“Jake!” called Booker-T. “What are you doing this morning? No time to be sleeping.”

“Who made you in charge?” asked Jake.

“Sorry Jake,” said Booker-T. “I want to go see the balloons at the park.”

“Don't worry,” said Jake. “We will get there in plenty of time. I saw a couple of the trailers with balloons in them go passed the house a few minutes ago. It will take them time to get things set up for the glow tonight. We won't miss that.”

“Good,” said Booker-T.

“He was so excited this morning, he was at my house early today,” said Midge.

“My mistress is leaving for work an hour earlier now,” said Booker-T.

“That is good,” said Jake. “You can walk over here with Midge in the mornings.”

“We won't have to wait on you anymore,” laughed Midge.

“Very funny,” said Booker-T.

“Look over there Booker-T,” said Jake. “That trailer going by now is a balloon. See the picture on the side of the trailer?”

“That is a pretty balloon,” said Booker-T. “Why do they have the balloons in such a big trailer?”

“They are really big balloons,” said Jake. “They aren't little balloons like you see at a birthday party.”

“Oh,” said Booker-T. “They must really be big.”

“They are,” said Midge. “And there is a big basket that holds about 4 people, that the balloon is hooked to.”

“A big basket?” asked Booker-T.

“Yes, the basket is connected to the balloon and the burners with the fuel is hooked onto the top of the basket and the flames from the burner heat up the air inside the balloons and that is what makes it fly,” said Gabby.

“You sure know a lot about the balloons Gabby,” said Booker-t.

“The balloons have been coming to the park now for about four years,” said Midge. “This will be the fifth year for them to come here and have their balloon fest. Our Mayor of the city and his wife fly one of the big balloons too.”

“And my vet has one also,” said Jake.

“This is so cool guys,” said Booker-T ready to go to the park and see the big balloons.

“Okay,” said Midge. “Lets go.”

They hurried along the sidewalk trying to follow Booker-T who was almost running to get to the park. They crossed at the corner and entered the park. Looking to the right, they saw several trucks pulling trailers entering the park parking lot and backing into an area where they will unload the big balloons. They ran toward them to get a closer look at the people unloading their trailers.

“Wow, Jake,” said Booker-T. “Look at that big red and white stripped balloon. Isn't it pretty?”

“They are all pretty,” said Jake. “Some are prettier than others and some are fairly simple. But I heard that they are all very expensive to own. The simple ones are the cheapest, but they still cost a lot to own and operate.”

“Guess our owners wouldn't be able to buy one then,” said Booker-T.

“Oh no,” said Jake. “They would need a lot more money than they make in a year.

“It is starting to get dark now,” said Midge. “Lets go up on that hill over there and we can see them really good from on top.”

The three hurried and sat down at the top of the hill. Below, many people were gathered and finding places to sit and watch the balloons. They watched as one by one, the balloon owners lit the burners on their balloon baskets and the balloons became inflated with the hot air. As the sky grew little darker, the balloons seemed to glow in the night. They were really pretty to see. The three sat in amazement at the beautiful glowing balloons.