What is up with people and these balloons? (transporting, amusement park)

[ryanek9freak]

I don't get the appeal of the Colorado Balloon Classic. Those things are nothing more than ridiculously expensive toys (upwards of $30,000), they require entire chase teams of people and vehicles, they serve no valid transportation purpose, and cost about $500 in propane just to send up once.

Air shows I get, car and motorcycle shows I get.

And I've been in a hot air balloon before, it didn't do anything for me.

So why are all the news stations and the Gazette covering this like it's the story of the century?

[otowi]

It is a tradition here, and has a lot more appeal for many folks than an amusement park or giant mall. It is a tourist draw, as well.

[lalahartma]

Gee, I don't know!! It really annoys me how the traffic is messed up around my house. I think if it doesn't have a motor, people shouldn't care about it. I agree: we should only pay attention to things you are interested in. Stoopid balloons.

[ryanek9freak]

MY Gf tried to get me up early to go watch it. Seen it before, not really interested. On a side note, it's funny some of them landed at the Academy.

[Sobe Itsavized]

At the mercy of the wind or the current. Metaphorically, fireworks are currency bursting into flames every 4th of July and New Years holiday for the U.S. It costs a lot more to manage fire in the sky than slow moving balloons it would seem.

[otowi]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

MY Gf tried to get me up early to go watch it. Seen it before, not really interested. On a side note, it's funny some of them landed at the Academy.

Yeah that was funny - usually they come south to my neighborhood and scare all the neighborhood dogs.

[Pookie]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

I don't get the appeal of the Colorado Balloon Classic. Those things are nothing more than ridiculously expensive toys (upwards of $30,000), they require entire chase teams of people and vehicles, they serve no valid transportation purpose, and cost about $500 in propane just to send up once.

Air shows I get, car and motorcycle shows I get.

And I've been in a hot air balloon before, it didn't do anything for me.

So why are all the news stations and the Gazette covering this like it's the story of the century?

It promotes the balloon industry...and is a money resource for all the other businesses that tag along for the ride.

[ryanek9freak]

Originally Posted by Pookie

It promotes the balloon industry...and is a money resource for all the other businesses that tag along for the ride.

Yea but I don't get it, perhaps you can enlighten me. What viable purpose do they serve? Advertisement? Are they transporting goods or people for money?

From what I can gather from all the years I've been around them, and having a close family friend that owns one, it's nothing more than an expensive hobby.

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

Yea but I don't get it, perhaps you can enlighten me. What viable purpose do they serve? Advertisement? Are they transporting goods or people for money?

From what I can gather from all the years I've been around them, and having a close family friend that owns one, it's nothing more than an expensive hobby.

What kind of hobbies do you have? Why do you do them? Do they have any viable purpose?

[ryanek9freak]

Yes, actually, but my hobbies are also my career. I'm a gunsmith and a heavy equipment mechanic. I'm not being facetious, I actually want to know what hot air balloons are for. Do they now, or did they at one time serve an actual economic purpose?