Preparing for Waxahachie's Summer Balloon Classic

Ballooning couldn’t be more of a fair weather sport. One person’s invigorating morning breeze is a balloonist’s nightmare. Despite a few clouds and one hell of a hot sun, wind gusts kept 90,000 cubic feet of hot air on the ground at the Summer Balloon Classic at Mid-Way Airport on Hwy. 287, between Waxahachie and Midlothian early Friday morning. Luckily, the balloon festival runs all weekend long -- and even if the crews don’t make it into the air, there’s still Saturday's Lite the Nite balloon glow, aviation show, helicopter rides, glider plane rides, skydivers, gift booths and all kinds of food. -- Melissa Crowe and Anastasia Jakse

Anastasia Jakse

A special 25th birthday balloon