It didn’t take long - just two years in fact - for thousands and thousands of people to discover that the place to be for nonstop fun, thrills and beauty was the 3rd Annual Citrus Classic Balloon Festival, held Friday and Saturday at Limoneira Soccer Fields just east of the city. More than two-dozen of the hot air balloons took part in the weekend festival, which featured non-stop entertainment, dozens of booths selling jewelry, arts and crafts and collectibles, food, a wine and beer garden, and enough photo opportunities to go around the family circle and the Internet for years to come.
Citrus Classic Founder/Coordinator Carla Edwards welcomed the crowd - estimated at more than 9,000 - Friday evening, noting the weekend’s coming attractions. “I thank you Ventura County,” as well as those who visited from throughout the nation and from overseas, for attending the event, not possible, she noted, without the balloonists themselves.
Mayor Jim Tovias offered a welcome on behalf of the city, noting the festival was the perfect opportunity for visitors to enjoy “our beautiful valley with the best weather in the world!” But Edwards, noted Tovias, deserves credit, as “Events like this just don’t happen.... Have a great time, but remember: Santa Paula is here all the time” with a rafter of upcoming events.
“It’s a great time to be in Santa Paula,” said Supervisor Kathy Long, who said the city has garnered yet another nickname, “The Balloon Capital! It’s a great event whose tradition will continue. We’re here to celebrate Santa Paula, the Santa Clara River Valley and Carla’s vision. And remember: Go ‘Whoa! What’s up!’”
Master of Ceremonies John Procter reminded the crowd of the at times fickle nature of ballooning, wholly dependent on the weather whims of Mother Nature.
“I just can’t believe this is so close to home,” said Sadie Elcar of Westwood as the balloons were being inflated for the Glow’s light show. “I’ve never been this way... and it’s just gorgeous out here!”
Santa Paula Airport aviators flew their planes over the venue, one letting loose with a trail of smoke while the other tipped its wing in a salute to the crowd below, offering a hint of the next day’s aerobatic show and flyover.
“We had 10,000 pre-sale tickets and we’re down to the last 200,” said Edwards, who noted about 600 people were attending the Sunset Glow dinner. “I’m excited... that’s so many! And people drove such a distance. I heard many say ‘thank you... this has been my dream to go to a balloon festival.’ The people are happy, the vendors are happy, parking is going well; it’s just turning out wonderfully!”
The crowd couldn’t get enough of the evening Glow, where the balloons were inflated, tethered and illuminated from the inside. The balloons went through their tricks, one balloon after another, with the crowd countdowns to the balloons all glowing at the same time.
Saturday’s Hare & Hound Race had to be cancelled when a thick marine layer kept visibility below the required 1,000 feet, but balloons were inflated for a while before being broken down for the mini Santa Paula Airport Air Show, moderated by Greg Andrews. Andrews reminded the crowd that the full air show celebrating the airport’s opening will be held August 14 and 15 as parachutists hit the ground running and aircraft soared and dived with barrel rolls, which delighted the crowd.
Balloon Pilot Kim Lynch of Temecula told the crowd she had been ballooning for 28 years; Bobalu Berries sponsored her gigantic strawberry balloon, and its booth was busy selling gourmet dipped strawberries. Lynch said her interest in the sport began when she and her husband David took a balloon ride on their first anniversary - for their second anniversary they bought a balloon.
“How does it make me feel? Wonderful,” said Lynch of her sky adventures. “I love it when we’ve floated over tree tops and I can reach out and grab some leaves,” as, she noted, “It’s hard to describe.”
Remote controlled blimps, kids with painted faces - like Amber Wineman of Newbury Park, who sported a pink kitten face - and adults alike said the 3rd Annual Citrus Classic Balloon Festival was the place to be. Newcomers vowed to return next year, while others bragged of never missing the festival.
Visitors also enjoyed the thrills of the Ball of Death - stuntmen Sam Wagner and father Monte Perlin from Ojai, who rode motorcycles inside the large metal cage.
Between the 5K Zest for Life Run benefiting the Santa Paula High School Track Team and Santa Paula Hospital to the Optimist Club operated paid parking and the Sunset Glow dinner itself, all proceeds of the festival - like the Citrus Classic Balloon Festivals before it - will be donated to nonprofit groups and organizations.
