Plano Balloon Festival offers more than hot air

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Colorful balloons are muted to mere tones as they arrive with the sunrise during the annual Plano Balloon Festival at Oak Point Park in Plano on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008.


Roxie Morrison, Jean Edwards, Adam Morrison and Sam Edwards stretch the Texas Twist balloon envelope before dawn during the annual Plano Balloon Festival.


Texas Twist crew chief Jean Edwards (left) of Austin and crew member Adam Morrison (right) of Dallas have a laugh as they wait to launch at Oak Point Park.


Colin Sledge (left) and Doug Page (right) with the Plano Amateur Radio Club observe pre-dawn activities as Lone Star, piloted by Kevin Thompson of Hurst, inflates at Oak Point Park.


Texas Twist crew chief Jean Edwards (left) and crew member Roxie Morrison (right) hold the balloon envelope open as pilot Sam Edwards of Austin (center) prepares to inflate the balloon.


Texas Twist crew chief Jean Edwards (left) and crew member Roxie Morrison (center) hold the balloon envelope open as pilot Sam Edwards of Austin (right) inflates the balloon with heated air during the annual Plano Balloon Festival.


Miss Daisy, piloted by Daniel Stukas of Central, S.C., greets the sunrise and prepares to launch during the annual Plano Balloon Festival.



Sponsored balloons including The Dallas Morning News, piloted by Dean Donley, (right) launch during the annual Plano Balloon Festival.


William Kirk, 2, of Plano plays with an inflatable balloon during the annual Plano Balloon Festival at Oak Point Park.



Plano-sponsored balloons inflate near each other during the annual festival.


Many sponsored balloons featured special designs and shapes during the annual festival.


The Cargill family of Richardson has breakfast with the balloons. Family members include (from left to right) Megan, 5; Will, 4; Paul; Tad, 2; and Ericka. The Change of Pace (background balloon) is piloted by Winnie and Tim Durham of Weatherford.



Beautiful Noise, piloted by Craig Hayes, (left) and Serenity Now, piloted by Bill Broker and Lance Terry of Frisco, (right) drift near a pedestrian crossing sign at Collin College during the annual Plano Balloon Festival at Oak Point Park in Plano.