Don’t miss this GALLERY from last weekend’s 49th Annual rally
By JOHN ANDERSON, photos by ABIGAIL WHITE
With the 49th Annual Great Wellsville Balloon Rally in the books, it’s time to start looking ahead to the 50th, which will be held July 16, 17 and 18 in 2027.
However, you may want to pencil in Thursday, July 15, 2027.
Being the 50th, Wellsville Balloon Rally Chairman has already talked to pilots and crews about coming to Wellsville a day earlier and launching on Thursday night and Friday morning. After receiving this news at the pilots farewell brunch Sunday morning, a few pilots reached out to their local crew who help each year as well as the families who host them to be prepared for an earlier arrival.
“So, 50 years will be one of the, or the longest in the Northeast and around the country,” Thompson said. “As a result, we may add a launch Friday morning and we may add Thursday night leading up to Terry Buchwald as Elvis during Music on the Lawn. So we may have two more flights next year.”
The rally is held at Island Park in Wellsville where parking and entry to the event are free. Music on the Lawn at the David A. Howe Library on Main Street is also free to the public. With the winds going the right way, a flight over the library with Elvis performing to a thousand people could be an epic night and launch to the rally.
Thompson said next year will be his final rally as chairman and he said the committee is as strong as ever and ready for new leadership.
“We have 20 to 25 dedicated community members who truly come together for six months to put this on,” Thompson said, adding quickly that his wife, Deb, is a huge part of the success and praise he receives. “We are going to start meeting in October. Usually we don’t start meeting until January, but it’s such a big year.”
Thompson said other things for next year include a tribute to some who made 50 years possible, another Eric Jones sand sculpture and a larger fireworks display.
The rally this year almost didn’t happen with smog and smoke from Canadian wildfires rolling in earlier in the week. While weather stopped Saturday and Sunday morning launches, there were fireworks on Saturday, sidewalk sales and an incredible flight on Friday night.
“When I looked up and saw 12 balloons flying together, it was kind of like heaven. And I’m sure the people who were in the balloons felt like they were in heaven,” Thompson said. “I’ve been on many balloon rides and I love seeing new people taking their first rides in a balloon. But the launch Friday? I’ve been doing this for 20 years and that one was special.”
Photographer Abigail White (Instagram @abigail.leigh.white) took hundreds of photos from Friday morning to Saturday. Here are the top 84 in a slideshow, swipe to see the images of people on the ground, the air, balloons, fun and food!
