On a windy day in February, crowds gathered for the Hot Air Balloon and Kite Festival at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach.
They were there to see the sky fill with colorful balloons and “Monster Show Kites.” Some were even there hoping to get a bird’s eye view of the region from inside one of those baskets lofted into the sky beneath the giant balloons.
Mother Nature, however, was not having it, sending gusts too strong for passenger flight.
Still, for many, the spectacle from smaller inflatables and grounded balloons on a sunny day and a laser light show after dusk — as much of the nation sat in winter — was worth the trip.
Valentine’s Day weekend brought the crowds, but Mother Nature scuttled the launch of passenger-carrying hot air balloons.
Despite the weather, good food and good company were abundant, as were some ginormous ‘show kites’ and an after-dusk laser light show.
In the end only one balloon launched. And they all had to be packed away to move on to the next show.
For once Charlie Brown was able to chalk a win, thanks to Michael K. Sherman who flew the inflatable kite.
All fired up, and nowhere to go on Valentine’s Day.
Children were on board to watch the preparations.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Wind grounds hot air balloons but kites, laser show fill Florida skies