Hot air balloons filled the sky above Midland as thousands of people came to Chippewassee Park to celebrate River Days over the weekend.
Sharon Mortensen, President and CEO of Midland Area Community Foundation, which organizes River Days, said the festival honors the Tittabawassee and the Chippewa rivers that brought first Indigenous people and later European settlers to the area.
“River Days is a very special festival that we have here in Midland and it really brings our community together,” Mortensen said. “We design for it to be an inclusive festival. We make sure it's accessible. We have so many things that are free for individuals and families, because we want everyone to come and really join the community.”
River Days activities were scheduled to continue through Sunday morning, when a final competitive hot air balloon flight would take place.
Mortensen said River Days has been a tradition since the 1980s. A few years ago, it joined with the Balloon Festival to become one event.
Tom and Judy Clark visited the festival on Friday and said that they have attended it for many years.
They said they especially love hot air balloons and have flown them as well.
“It's beautiful,” Tom said. “Beautiful night for it. ... And the balloons are beautiful. (We're) really enjoying them.”
Mortensen said around 15,000 people attend the festival each year and even more are expected this year.
River Days attracts people with music, hot air balloons that launch into the sky and glow later in the evening, a variety of food vendors and free entertainment for kids, Mortensen said.
Emily Bartlett is a crew member for one of the balloons, for which her dad is a pilot. She helps to hold the ropes and follows the balloon while n it’s in the air to find a good place for it to land.
Bartlett said she started flying with her dad when she was around 5 years old and has kept going for two decades. Her younger sister is also involved.
“I enjoy the people the most,” Bartlett said. “Everyone here is great. And it's just a good time all around."
Carol Baker, a Midland area resident, said this was her first time attending the festival and she was excited to take photos of the balloons in the sky.
“That's fantastic,” she said, looking at the balloons. “I've never been to (a hot air balloon show) and I've seen that coming up. So that’s why we’re here. It’s awesome. I love it.”
Mortensen said River Days is truly a festival that helps the community to unite, which is her goal.
“I love bringing people together,” Mortensen said. “I love seeing people join in community. I want people to experience a sense of belonging that they belong here in our community.”
