GRANT COUNTY – It turns out that you have to get up awfully early to beat the hot air ballooning crowd.

Braving the before-dawn chill and partying till late into the night, area residents turned out to eagerly support the first Grant County Hot Air Balloon Festival last weekend.

Onlookers oohed and ahhed early Oct. 24, as the first of the 12 hot air balloons inflated and lifted off from Mt. Vernon Middle School’s athletic field, adding buoyant color to the morning sky.

The thrills and cheers were repeated through the weekend, in Mt. Vernon and across the valley.

Sharon Mogg, executive director of the Grant County Chamber of Commerce, said that the response was so strong that on Saturday, “we had more crew members than we needed.”

“We’re overwhelmed by the community turnout and support,” she said.

The festival was sponsored by the Chamber and Ed Staub & Sons Propane, which provided all the propane for the balloons.

Saturday morning, five generations of Edna Bundtruck’s family watched as Bundtruck celebrated her 91st birthday with a ride aboard the balloon “Morning Glory.”

Bundtruck is a resident at Elderberry House in John Day.

Landing an hour or so later, she was asked if she had fun.

“I always do,” she said. So what’s her next adventure? “Whatever comes up,” Bundtruck said.

At a dinner honoring the sponsors and pilots Friday night, about 170 people filled Mt. Vernon’s Community Hall.

Scott Spencer, who with his wife Laurie piloted the “Wildhorse Casino” balloon, spoke for all the pilots in thanking Grant County for “the warm and welcome greeting” extended to them during their stay.

Diners feasted on barbecued pork courtesy of Russell’s Meats, along with salad, cornbread, two kinds of potatoes and two choices of cake. The Upriver Country Band brought a few dancers to the floor, and Kathy Moss entertained with down-home country poetry readings. Artwork by the Grant County Art Association, including some hot air balloon paintings, lined the hall.

As darkness fell Saturday night, the festivities shifted over to the John Day Golf Course. The greens below the clubhouse were lit up for about half an hour as the 12 balloons put on about a spectacular “Night Glow” show.

Throughout, the weather cooperated for the festival. On Friday and Saturday mornings, skies down the valley were slightly hazy from prescribed burns in the forests, but the air was clearer for Sunday’s rides.

Breezes in John Day Saturday morning kept the tethered rides there from taking off as planned, but the rides in Prairie City and Dayville, where winds were calmer, went off without a hitch.

Chamber of Commerce Board president Sandy Gilson was pleased with the way things turned out.

“I am surprised by the number of people and businesses who wanted to get on board with this event,” Gilson said. “This is one thing that everyone wanted to be a part of.”

A dozen hot air balloons lifted off in the early morning hours Friday, Oct. 24, as the Grant County Balloon Festival got under way.