Biggest Balloon Rally Parade ever? A GALLERY and VIDEO look at the crowd, floats and fun from Saturday

By JOHN ANDERSON

Balloon Rally weekend is always Balloon Rally Week in Wellsville. It’s the Super Bowl of the village and events take place each day after the huge Balloon Rally Parade kicks off the week.

Before we get to the photos and videos, let’s take care of the question asked 99 percent of the time:

When are the launches for the Balloon Rally? If this is your first time asking, here’s a pro tip: third weekend of July every year, launches at 6 p.m. Friday, 6 a.m. Saturday, 6 p.m. Saturday night at 6 a.m. on Sunday. But also, here is the schedule:

FRIDAY

6 p.m. – Official First Launch of the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally. There will be an afterglow, weather permitting. Music provided by DJ Jeff Wilson. Tethered rides will be available from Sean Richardson.

The Balloon Rally is a co-sponsor for the Elvis show and Brad Thompson is in his 16th year as chairman of the rally. He was pleased with the parade and encourages residents and visitors to visit the mobile Balloon Rally store which helps keep the rally free.

“It was a nice parade, a beautiful day and a nice crowd, great day and as always, Rich Mangels did a great job, he puts it all together for the parade and does a good job,” Thompson said “It’s one thing I don’t have to worry about!”

Merchandise will be available at the store Monday and Tuesday next to the police station from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The store is open again at Music on the Lawn and then at Island Park all weekend (during rally hours) as well as on Main Street until 3 p.m. during the Main Street Festival. The store closes at 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Here is a video of the parade day:

First slide show of the parade, swipe to see photos taken by JOHN ANDERSON and SAMUEL ROBINSON:

Our second slide show of the crowd and the floats!