MT. VERNON It was a fine day for flying Sept. 15 and 16 hot air balloon flying, that is.

Six Grant County residents enjoyed smooth rides during the Mt. Vernon Fun Fly, including Christy Dahlen and her son Kushaiah Dahlen, 17, Diamond Workman, 13, and her brother Chase, 17, Emily Mogg, 7, and 77-year-old Gayle Ryder.

I’m excited and a little apprehensive, said Christy before take-off in the I’ll Fly Away balloon with Greg Miller of Boise, Idaho, piloting the ride.

“It was scary at first, then fun,” Diamond said after landing at Broken Leg Ranch west of Mt. Vernon. She rode with Checkmate Balloon Team pilot Tim Gale of St. Helens.

Mt. Vernon volunteer firefighters John and Cassidy Lemons were on hand at the launch site, along with other helpers, for the event sponsored by local merchants.

“The landowners were wonderful,” said volunteer Sharon Mogg. “We appreciate them.”