Atlanta Balloon Glow

Atlanta's first ever Atlanta Balloon Glow was recently held in Piedmont Park, "Atlanta's favorite greenspace", which is now Atlanta's favorite place for tethered hot air balloon rides! 

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Originally scheduled for Valentine's Day weekend, hot air balloons finally rose from the meadow in the park with thousands in attendance the first weekend of August. Threatened with typical summer afternoon showers, Mother Nature cooperated last-minute allowing all ticket-holders to take flight.

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I'd totally forgot about the event and was reminded only a couple of days before it happened. By time I saw it online, all the website tickets were sold out. I found it exciting that so many were excited about hot air balloon rides! I'd never been on one, but have had a lifetime love of hot air balloons, a fan since their first flights in France--not that I was alive in the 1780s.

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I loved that there were so many fellow photographers there...lots of camera envy from my end, but I was also totally blissful having the opportunity to photograph such beautiful balloons. Such a rare opportunity living in the city.

There were LOTS of food trucks, bringing a wide range of cuisines, and a number of retail tents, making for a genuine festival atmosphere! There were tickets for a VIP experience--a reserved seating/viewing area and a couple-ride experience. There was also a separate kids' experience area.

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

There was a guy (event employee) checking the pre-paid line to make sure that everyone's tickets were in order, but I was hopeful that there might be some extra spots, given that it was supposed to be raining (it cleared up on my way home that night, so I went back to the Park), and he told me that they'd be selling tickets after all the current ticket-holders had gone through the line. 

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

He and one other person told me that there would be tickets for sale after all pre-paid ticket holders were in line to go up. I waited in line a couple of times, hoping to get to go up (remember, I'd only learned of the event a couple of days before). Well, it was getting late, and I was quite happy with the photos I'd been able to make and to have been so close to balloons that were taking folks up, so I was headed out...happy for such a beautiful experience!

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Then, a lady who sounded like she was in charge, announced that they were indeed sold out for the evening, BUT I heard her later tell someone that after all the ticket-holders were through the line that they would evaluate if they could get more through, making additional tickets available for purchase.

LESSON LEARNED: Do not wait! Next year and in coming years, as soon as you see tickets for sale for this event, BUY THEM! Do not chance, do not wait, just get your tickets so that you're sure to get to ride. 

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Fortunate me, my friend James gave me a ticket, gifting me a first-time experience! "Thank you!" James, it was soooooooo awesome!!! I crave first-time experiences and this is one I'll always remember and it has fueled my desire to go up again, and probably again and again!

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

This was the balloon that I went up in, and I was on the edge of the gondola, so had a perfect view of the balloon's interior. The flames were HOT, not that they would be anything but...still, it was quite the sensation. 

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Our balloonist, handlebar mustache and all, looked a lot like the Wizard of Oz, AND he was having a great time...so funny! A brief ride, his humor totally enhanced the experience. Grateful he made the ride memorable and fun.

Atlanta Balloon Glow | Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

When next year's Atlanta Balloon Glow is announced, get your tickets FAST! This is one Piedmont Park experience that you don't want to miss. Even if you don't go up in a balloon, this is a full-fledged festival, one that's rife with amazing photo opportunities that you won't want to miss. Come early, and stay for sunset...stay for the balloon glow!

See more photos on the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook page...

Piedmont Park: Communing with Nature

Piedmont Park is one of the most vibrant public spaces in the City of Atlanta. It attracts festivals, fairs, markets, athletes, musicians, sunbathers, dog-walkers and city-dwellers wishing to commune with nature.

As a tourist of the Park, evident by the cameras in tow, I was astounded by the friendliness of the Park's other visitors, and animal residents too, not to mention its beauty following a recent refurbishment.


A young couple, shoes cast aside with sketchpads in hand, sitting on one of the Lake Clara Meer’s docks, remarked without provocation on how beautiful the view was from the site where they had perched and were more than willing to share with others. After admiring the view they had discovered, I asked if I could take their photo for a tourism blog and they enthusiastically agreed, without deliberation. They donned a smile for the first "candid" photo, then quickly returned to their relaxation and enjoyment of the serene setting. The second photo perfectly captured that they'd accomplished what they came to the Park to do that day.

A short while later, I and my fellow tourist—also a photographer—passed a young lady who, noticing our cameras, excitedly told us about a "giant" hawk she'd seen by the lake a couple of days earlier. My friend quizzically said, "What an odd thing to say." My rebuttal was that she obviously knew we were there to experience all the Park had to offer—again, the cameras were very telling—and she was merely excited to share. Satisfied with that explanation, my colleague accepted that we were indeed in a friendly land.

Within minutes, and throughout our visit, we encountered life of many species, the friendliest of which were squirrels…yes, squirrels! Other creatures sharing the rolling hills of the 100-plus acre park are chipmunks, ducks, geese, butterflies and canines (hosted by their human friends). The Park recently opened an expansive Dog Walk near the Park Drive bridge, accessible from Monroe Drive. Oh, and the "Eagles" will be performing on October 15 as part of the city's "The Green Concert."

The Park has a public swimming pool that when I saw it in its refurbished state, I was certain that it must belong to the nearby Piedmont Driving Club. I mean, how could a pool that beautiful be open to the public? Just prior to this visit, I'd seen the pool on an evening stroll around the park, illuminated against the night sky (the Park is open until 11:00 p.m.), and reveled in its pristine condition. Seeing the pool a couple of days later, filled with frolicking youngsters and playful adults, was yet another indication that Atlanta is indeed a great city in which to live and visit.

We had just missed the weekly "Green Market," which is open every Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., May 1 through December 11. Near the 12th Street entrance, the Market features local produce, juices, cooking demonstrations, baked goods, artists and more. I'll see them next weekend for breakfast!

With origins dating to 1887, Piedmont Park has in recent years undergone a transformation giving it a beauty that rivals the spectacle of the city's glass and marble skyline, some of which can be seen from vistas around the Park. The Park itself was designed by the sons of the founder of landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted, whose works include Central Park in New York City, the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C., and the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, North Carolina. Although not built precisely according to the original Olmsted plans, the recent restoration project honored the original design.

Am I going back to Piedmont Park? Absolutely. in fact, next time I will likely bike through the Park. Immediately after this visit, I stopped by "Skate Escape," a skate and bike shop adjacent the 12th Street entrance on Piedmont Avenue, where Park visitors can rent or buy skates and bikes. I purchased a bike rack for my car, went home, bought my bike back to the shop for a tune-up, and amazingly it was ready within one business day. Piedmont Park is definitely on my list of regular sites to visit and to bring fellow tourists.

Visiting Piedmont Park

Date toured: Saturday, August 21, 2010
Cost: Free
Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., every day
Location: Between Monroe Drive, 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue (map)
Website: www.piedmontpark.org