LOCAL AIR SHOW ENDS WITH A GLOW

Renee Brands and Kim Young drove from Portageville to Cape Girardeau Saturday evening for one reason: to see the hot air balloons glow.

The two had never seen balloons up close, but had heard how beautiful a balloon glow is.

At night, hot air balloons glow as a result of the propane heaters used to heat the balloons.

As the first of eight hot air balloons lit the night sky, Young smiled. "Oh yes, it was definitely worth the drive."

Bruce Loy, manager of the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, also decided the work and planning that went into planning Aviation Day had been worth it.

"We had a good steady stream of people all day," Loy said, watching balloonmeisters put up balloons after returning from an evening launch. "We had a little trouble with fog this morning, but I think everything turned out well."

People purchased airplane rides into the night. At least five people made tandem parachute jumps and dozens took tethered balloon rides.

Renae Dodson and her daughter Sarah, of Cape Girardeau, wanted a night balloon ride and were first in line Saturday.

"I've never had a balloon ride and this is a chance to ride in a hot air balloon," Renae said. "In the dark, I just think it will be wonderful."

Her husband, Bob Dodson, however, thought it wiser to remain on the ground. The family had been at the airport most of the day.

"We were watching the remote control planes and I really enjoyed the L-39, a Russian jet," Bob Dodson said.

"But we were determined to have a balloon ride," Renae Dodson said.

Gary Sines has heard it before. He is chief pilot with BalloonStormers, Inc., in Columbia, Mo. His company brought two balloons to Cape Girardeau for the event. After 25 years in the sport, Sines still agrees.

"It is mystical and magical," Sines said. "I can't imagine anyone seeing a balloon and not wanting to ride."

He now manages a balloon port in Columbia with 10 balloons. They fly corporate-sponsored balloons and put on small balloon races.

During the day, various types of aircraft made demonstration flights. About 100 skydivers from across the region came in for a two-day "boogie." They will be at the airport again today.

The balloons will launch again this morning around 7 a.m., weather permitting.

Loy said an air show, which would include aerobatic demonstrations, is scheduled for July.

But another aviation day is possible. "In the next week or two we'll have to get together and talk about where to go from here," he said.

Then he headed across the tarmac to help the balloon crews set up for the glow.

Cindy Gadberry of Chaffee brought her children and friends to the airport Saturday evening to see the balloons.

Samantha Hinkebein of Chaffee sat snuggled under a blanket. "This is really fun to watch."