Over 25,000 people gathered in Provo on Monday to celebrate Independence Day weekend by watching about 25 balloons float above the city. America’s Freedom Festival hosts the balloon festival each year on July 1, 3 and 4, along with a balloon glow Monday evening where the balloons stay on the ground.

On the ground, people — and dogs — of all ages watched in awe as the hot air balloons inflated to prepare for take off. As the pilots stood in the buckets, hollering directions to their team over the sounds of the fans and burners, spectators received a close-up look at the full operation of a hot air balloon. Spectators were allowed to walk around the field where the balloons take off and could feel the baskets and balloons being filled with hot air less.

Up in the air, families who have been flying balloons for 40 years, and others who started a few years ago, shared their traditions and passions with one another. Heather Watkins, the pilot of a family crew, has been flying their balloon for three and a half years and enjoys the calm in the sky. “(It’s) so peaceful, everyone’s got to experience it once in their life,” she said.

Thousands of people stayed after the balloons took off, watching as they floated overhead. Several balloons belonged to the Bramble family. In 1983, Curt Bramble took his first balloon ride and loved it, his son Jeff told the Daily Herald. “It’s been a family event ever since,” Jeff said. Now, Curt and Susan Bramble’s children dot the Provo skies each year.

Nichole Whiteley, Daily Herald

Susan Bramble laughed as she remembered the first year they attended the Freedom Festival balloon fest, before he was a pilot, and her husband was a passenger for his first ride.

“We always say the first flight is free, the next one will cost you $80,000,” Susan said. “You get addicted. Our kids have all grown up flying, so we have enough balloons for everybody to fly. Nobody wants to sit on the ground.”

The Bramble family attends balloon rallies across the country, but started in Provo. Susan Bramble has been on the committee for the Balloon Fest since they started flying, but she became the chairperson seven years ago.

Jeff Bramble said every member of the family now helps — his daughters were next to him on Monday holding ropes to keep the balloon on the ground. The two girls help by filling the balloon with cold air, using a fan, before the balloon is up and the hot air is added.

Jeff Bramble said they have continued to participate and turned hot air balloon riding into a multi-generation hobby is because everyone gets to work together. Everyone has a job to do, even the little kids, and it creates quality family time.

Nichole Whiteley, Daily Herald

Most of the balloons on Monday were on the ground by 8 a.m. because of early heat. When temperatures are higher outside, they need to be kept even higher inside the balloon.

It takes about five people to operate a hot air balloon, depending on the size of the basket and the balloon. The people who are on the ground are an important part of the process, Susan Bramble said. They communicate with the pilots by radio and must learn where the winds are and where they can land.

Hot air balloons prepare for takeoff as people walk around the field at America's Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Monday, July 3, 2023.

A hot air balloon is inflated at America's Freedom Festival Balloon fest in Provo on Monday, July 3, 2023.

Hot air balloons float over Provo during America's Freedom Festival Balloon Fest on Monday, July 3, 2023.

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