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Fields of Flight<\/h1>\n
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By Chadd McGlone<\/p>\n
Chapel Hill, NC, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
During my childhood, I spent long summer days in Marysville, Ohio<\/strong>, catching bullfrogs at the pond, building forts in the woods, and riding my bike on the isolated gravel road by my house. These activities were a welcome break from the school year.<\/p>\n On lucky occasions, a rainstorm would flood a nearby field. For the next week, I\u2019d splash around and throw mud balls in my own private pool. By August, I had caught and released so many bullfrogs that they\u2019d learned to wait passively while I scooped them up in my net.<\/p>\n Balloons to the Rescue<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As the dog days of summer hit, I was desperate to reconnect with friends I hadn\u2019t seen since school ended. The All Ohio Balloon Rally\u00a0came to my rescue. Founded in 1975, this event included dozens of hot air balloons and provided a party in the air and on the ground.<\/p>\n Each morning before sunrise, the balloons competed in a daybreak race. My family would target a balloon and chase it in our car. We sped down isolated country roads hoping to lend a hand when the balloon landed. I never knew if our chosen balloons won or not, but I do know we saw the most remarkable sunrises.<\/p>\n The party on the ground started after the balloon rally. In the late morning, I would bike to the festival to see my friends, watch an amazing airshow, and play at the arcade. For me, the first couple of hours involved finding my place in the new town teenage hierarchy. Having not seen my friends for three months, I did not recognize some of them, especially those who grew five inches or styled their hair with a 1980s perm.<\/p>\n Air and Arcade Attractions<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Any awkwardness was broken by the thundering of three A-6 fighter jets doing a flyby to kick off an airshow. World War I\u2013era biplanes and triplanes performed a mock battle like one that might have involved the Red Baron. Huge B-25 bombers from World War II flew low overhead to demonstrate their size. Most exciting and anxiety-provoking were the modern stunt pilots. They flew so close to the ground and each other, I don\u2019t know how they avoided crashes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n No festival was complete without a stop at the arcade. The summer before my freshman year, my allowance increased to $4.25 per week. I resolved to save one-eighth of it each week to have enough to try the newest game, Centipede. Players reserved their spot in line by placing a quarter on the machine, hoping you got your coin on the board before the arrival of one of the experts who had been playing the game all summer. Even though I never spent more than five minutes in any one game, those moments were worth all the work I did saving my pocket change.<\/p>\n Up, Up, and Away<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The All Ohio Balloon Fest has grown substantially since those early days. A regional attraction that received a new name in the mid-1990s, it now has something for every age, from Star Wars\u2013themed balloons to children\u2019s bounce houses to live concerts. Even though the air show doesn’t perform anymore, adventurous customers can purchase tickets for helicopter and bi-wing plane rides.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Balloon-glow.png” title_text=”Balloon glow” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The balloon launches take place every evening. At 6:00 PM daily during the festival, 20 balloons take to the skies. At 9:00 PM are the renowned balloon glows. While inflated and tethered to vehicles, the balloons\u2019 propane burners light up simultaneously, creating a breathtaking scene. On Saturday night, patrons are allowed to visit the balloon pilots.<\/p>\n The event donates the net proceeds each year to a local nonprofit. According to a festival representative, more than $100,000 has helped disadvantaged Ohio residents get back on their feet through the United Way and Hope Center of Union County.<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Balloon-inflate.jpg” alt=”inflating the balloon” title_text=”Balloon-inflate” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font_size=”9px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Balloon photos courtesy of the All Ohio Balloon Fest. Used with permission.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Balloons-flying-suncatcher.jpeg” alt=”hot air balloon in the sky” title_text=”Balloons-flying-suncatcher” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Learning Activities:<\/p>\n Sample Problems:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Questions” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Ohio-b25-GMS.png\")
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