Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival revisited

Gas burners ignite to light colorful hot-air balloons to the delight of the crowd gathered at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland on Friday during Ridgeland's annual Celebrate America Balloon Glow.

Char Cavett, 3, of Jackson, seems intrigued by the workings of the bubble maker as much as the bubbles while playing at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, the annual balloon glow was grounded but a candle burn was held with balloon pilots lighting the burners.

Balloonists competing in the 22nd Annual Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Race prepare for the Balloon Glow at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland Friday, June 28, 2018. In addition to the spectacle, there were musical performances and a fireworks show.

The large crowd enjoyed a fireworks spectacular as the finale of the Balloon Glow Friday night at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, part of the 22nd Annual Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Race and Festival.

With a mouthful of cotton candy, Jayce Whitehurst, 7, of Pearl, looks to his dad for a laugh while at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, the annual balloon glow was grounded but a candle burn was held with balloon pilots lighting the burners.

Crews fight to keep their balloons grounded as the wind kicks up during the 4th of July celebration and balloon glow Friday at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland.

Fans were valuable commodities in the early hours on Friday, June 30, 2017, at the 27th Annual “Celebrate America” Balloon Glow next to Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss.

Shmei Meng of Madison cools off her son John Lihoto, 6, with some water on his head while at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival in Canton Saturday, July 4, 2009.

Crews fight to keep their balloons steady as the wind kicks up during the 4th of July celebration and balloon glow Friday at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland.

Crews work on getting their balloons upright on Friday, June 30, 2017, at the 27th Annual “Celebrate America” Balloon Glow next to Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss.

Crowds at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival wait for nighttime festivities at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, balloons were grounded but a candle burn was held with balloon pilots lighting the burners.

David Gandy of Jackson seeks shade from a fan and group of patriotic balloons on Friday, June 30, 2017, at the 27th Annual Celebrate America Balloon Glow next to Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss.

Michael and Nell Caston of Madison shoot selfies during the balloon glow on Friday, June 30, 2017, at the 27th Annual Celebrate America Balloon Glow next to Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss.

The large crowd enjoyed a fireworks spectacular as the finale of the Balloon Glow Friday night at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, part of the 22nd Annual Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Race and Festival.

A crowd estimated at 20,000 jammed the southeast side of Northpark Mall in Ridgeland for the annual Balloon Glow, which included a concert and fireworks show.

A crew works on getting their balloon upright on Friday, June 30, 2017, at the 27th Annual Celebrate America Balloon Glow next to Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss.

A crew works on heating the air to get their balloon upright on Friday, June 30, 2017, at the 27th Annual Celebrate America Balloon Glow next to Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss.

Ashley Couch, left, of Brandon, gets a kick out of Bama Breeze pilot Terry Reynolds, right, doing a candle burn, but Couch’s daughter Olivia McMillan, 6, of Brandon, doesn’t seem crazy about the noise while at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, the annual balloon glow was grounded but a candle burn was held with balloon pilots lighting the burners.

Family members watch as crews get their balloons upright on Friday, June 30, 2017, at the 27th Annual Celebrate America Balloon Glow next to Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss.

The evening ended with a fireworks display on Friday, June 30, 2017, at the 27th Annual “Celebrate America” Balloon Glow next to Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss.

Decked out for the 4th of July, Dorothy Mitchell, of Richland, captures a few shots while at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, the annual balloon glow was grounded but a candle burn was held with balloon pilots lighting the burners.

Balloonists competing in the 22nd Annual Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Race prepare for the Balloon Glow at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland Friday night. In addition to the spectacle, there were musical performances and a fireworks show.

A crowd estimated at 20,000 jammed the southeast side of Northpark Mall in Ridgeland for the annual Balloon Glow, which included a concert and fireworks show.

Balloonists competing in the 22nd Annual Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Race participate in the Balloon Glow at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland Friday night. In addition to the spectacle, there were musical performances and a fireworks show.

A hot air balloon owned by Mark Bowie of Greenwood lights up the sky Friday during the Celebrate America Balloon Glow at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland. The annual festival kickoffs the 4th of July weekend of activities. The balloon glow is held in conjunction with the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Fest in Canton.

Balloonists competing in the 22nd Annual Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Race prepare for the Balloon Glow at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland Friday night. In addition to the spectacle, there were musical performances and a fireworks show.

The large crowd enjoyed a fireworks spectacular as the finale of the Balloon Glow Friday night at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, part of the 22nd Annual Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Race and Festival.

Angela Jenkins, right, of Ridgeland, makes sure her family is set before she sits down at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. "When I sit down, they shouldn't ask me for anything," Jenkins said.

A large American flag flies over the gathered attendees at the 27th Annual Celebrate America Balloon Glow next to Northpark Mall in Ridgeland.

Members of country music band Diamond Rio entertain the large crowd Friday night at the Celebrate America Balloon Glow at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland.

The large crowd enjoyed a fireworks spectacular as the finale of the Balloon Glow Friday night at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, part of the 22nd Annual Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Race and Festival.

Attendees begin to gather for the musical performers on Friday, June 30, 2017, at the 27th Annual “Celebrate America” Balloon Glow next to Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss.

Spectators watch as fireworks light up the sky over Northpark Mall during the 2001 Fourth of July celebration in Ridgeland featuring a balloon glow, music and pyrotechnics.

Candy Coburn and her band perform on Friday during the Northpark Mall Celebrate America Balloon Glow. The Fourth of July celebration featured variety of family activities and entertainment. Musical guests included Chris Young and Steve Azar.

Hot air balloon pilots participate in a candle burn during Friday night festivities at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, balloons were grounded but a candle burn was held where balloon pilots lit the burners.

A hot air balloon takes flight near the Canton Multipurpose Center during the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 3, 2021. While rain the night before soaked the ground and prevented most of the air balloons from participating during the balloon chase bike ride, two hot air balloons were able to lift off for a short flight.

The crowd enjoys the music of the Blues Boyz during festivities at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, the annual balloon glow was grounded but a candle burn was held with balloon pilots lighting the burners.

Anna Leigh Sandridge, 8, of Ridgeland, concentrates on the water balloon toss with her mother Patricia Sandridge while at the 2009 Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival in Canton.

A large crowd gathers on Friday during the Northpark Mall Celebrate America Balloon Glow. The Fourth of July celebration featured variety of family activities and entertainment. Musical guests were Candy Coburn, Chris Young and Steve Azar.

London Thum, 5, dances to the music of the Blues Boyz during festivities at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, the annual balloon glow was grounded but a candle burn was held with balloon pilots lighting the burners.

Singer Steve Azar pauses for a snapshot before taking the stage on Friday during the Northpark Mall Celebrate America Balloon Glow.

Gary McMahan of Hattiesburg maneuvers his parachute onto the grounds of the Canton Multi Purpose Center during the 2009 Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival in Canton.

With the music of the Blues Boyz playing, 8-month-old Yorkie Bella, owned by Kenitra Battaglia, of Brandon, is taking it all in stride at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021.

A young girl is enchanted by bubbles at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival in Canton Saturday, July 4, 2009.

Children enjoy the bubbles at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival Saturday, July 4, 2009.

Spectators wait for the Canton Balloon Festival competition flight outside the Canton Multipurpose Complex Sunday. It was all in vain though, as the event was cancelled because of high wind gusts.

The crowd enjoys the music of the Blues Boyz during festivities at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, the annual balloon glow was grounded but a candle burn was held with balloon pilots lighting the burners.

Crowds gather at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., for an evening of family fun Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, balloons were grounded but they held a candle burn where balloon pilots lit the burners.

Harlee Blackstock, 5, of Brandon, has a blast chasing bubbles at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, the annual balloon glow was grounded but a candle burn was held with balloon pilots lighting the burners.

Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee joined the Carlton South Carolina Show Band which played before Diamond Rio at the Celebrate America Balloon Glow.

Crowds gather at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival for an evening of family fun at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, the annual balloon glow was grounded but a candle burn was held with balloon pilots lighting the burners.

A hot air balloon inflates near the Canton Multipurpose Center during the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 3, 2021. While rain the night before soaked the ground and prevented most of the hot air balloons from participating during the balloon chase bike ride, several hot air balloons inflated to show off their colorful designs.

The Blues Boyz perform at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival during an evening of family fun at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, the annual balloon glow was grounded but a candle burn was held with balloon pilots lighting the burners.

Justin Jones, of Jackson, and his daughter Harlee Jones, 8, swing to the music of the Blues Boyz during festivities at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, the annual balloon glow was grounded but a candle burn was held with balloon pilots lighting the burners.

Reality!?!? balloon pilot Chad Hebert, of Zachery, La., and his son Randon Hebert, 7, participate in a candle burn during Friday night festivities at the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss., July 2, 2021. With rain threatening, balloons were grounded but a candle burn was held where balloon pilots lit the burners.

A hot air balloon inflates near the Canton Multipurpose Center during the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 3, 2021. While rain the night before soaked the ground and prevented most of the air balloons from participating during the balloon chase bike ride, several hot air balloons inflated to show off their colorful designs.

Joe Diffie performs for the crowd on Friday, June 30, 2017, at the 27th Annual “Celebrate America” Balloon Glow next to Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Miss.