Weather interferes with launching balloons, but pilots put on light show

The spring winds wouldn’t cooperate during the 10th Annual Winnemucca Balloon Festival and prevented the balloons’ launch into the skies above Winnemucca. Although the May weather put a damper on expectations, several pilots still showed up to the rec complex and the sports complex to raise their colorful orbs from the ground, if only for a few minutes. Friday night’s glow show at the rec complex drew hundreds of spectators and provided vendors and food trucks for the masses. Over the weekend, some pilots provided static displays at the library, local businesses and traveled to the northern part of the county to set up in Denio. Even though the balloons couldn’t safely take to the sky, many people on social media expressed their appreciation and enjoyment at the displays that took place.