Ryann Jodka, 2, plays with a souvenir she got at the seventh annual Hot Air Balloon Festival.
Hudson – The seventh annual Hot Air Balloon Festival was held Aug. 13 at the Hudson Elks Pavilion and Field. The full day of family fun began with a 6 a.m. lift-off of 18 hot air balloons. Activities resumed that afternoon with a food court, live musical and dance entertainment, children's games and rides, and vendors with unique offerings. Live music continued at dusk as pilots ignited the burners of tethered balloons, creating an incandescent glow. Proceeds raised by the event will go toward the Hudson Elks Scholarship Fund. PHOTOS by Ed Karvoski Jr.
One of the 18 hot air balloons flies over the Elks' field.
Orlando Zapata, 6, practices chin-ups with assistance from Sgt. Lawrence Pan at an information booth of the U.S. Marines.
Festival-goers gather for a K-9 demonstration presented by the State Police.
Early risers start the day viewing hot air balloons getting inflated in preparation for the lift-off.Bob Martel of Boston Hot Air Balloon Rides (center) pilots his balloon, named Celtic Magic, giving Susan Bellows and Meagan Garvey a bird's eye view during the morning lift-off.Balloons are inflated and ready for lift-off.
Blinkee the Clown poses for a photo after creating balloon sculptures for the Lemansky siblings: (l to r) Ava, 6; Lauren, 3; Danny, 8; and Drew, 2.
Samantha Nelson, 5, and her brother, Tyler, 3, take a trackless train ride around the Elks' field.
Burners of balloons are lit and create an incandescent glow.
Many festival-goers who attended the lift-off at dawn returned for the Balloon Glow at dusk at the conclusion of the seventh annual Hot Air Balloon Festival.
