The 35th annual Ravenna Balloon A-fair rooted in tradition
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RAVENNA, Ohio –More than a hundred spectators had come to Sunbeau Valley Farm in Ravenna Township for a once in a year event. Gazelle, Sublime, Zig Zag, Boo-Lou Noodles and 16 others, whom the spectators had come to see, were nowhere in sight.
Gazelle and friends are not humans but hot air balloons that were scheduled to take flight at the 35th annual Ravenna Balloon A-fair.
The annual Ravenna Balloon A-fair is more than just a town fair, the Balloon A-fair is deeply rooted in family tradition. Many of the adults attending the fair this year are now bringing their children, like their parents did when they were a child.
Debby Lucas, 39, of Kent is one of these people. Her parent’s used to take her to the Balloon A-fair when she was a child.
“When I was little, we used to love coming and watching the balloons. When I was in kindergarten, I got to go up in one. It just went up and down, but it was a really breathtaking experience than for a kindergarten. I couldn’t imagine going up in one now,” Lucas said.
Although Lucas had not been to the fair in years, this year was a special year. This was her 19-month-old son’s first Ravenna Balloon A-fair. Lucas said her favorite thing about this year’s fair is “experiencing it through my son’s eyes.”
In a letter written by the Portage County Board of Commissioners, the board says “the Balloon A-fair has become a favorite tradition not only with Portage County residents, but also with folk from all over.”
Alexis Morris, 20, of Windham, Ohio used to attend the fair when she was a little girl.
“I don’t come every year. The last time I have been here I was little, really little. I can’t even remember actually,” Morris said.
This year Morris brought her three-year-old daughter to see the hot air balloons, and her fourth cousin Don Andrews who isn’t an Ohio resident.
“We live in Danville, but it’s central Pennsylvania. which is a 295 miles away,” Andrews said.
The Ravenna Balloon A-fair was held Thursday, September 19 to Sunday, September
22, but balloons were only scheduled to take flight on the last two days of the fair. Balloon A-fair committee president Mark Short was not available for commenting on why the balloons did not lift off on Saturday.
Although the balloons didn’t take flight, many people at the fair enjoy the live entertainment, amusement rides, relaxing atmosphere and food. Both Lucas and Morris said the Ravenna Balloon A-fair does a great job of bring the community together.
“It’s nice to run into old friends you haven’t seen in years. I just saw the person we graduated with 20 years ago,” Lucas said.
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