Six balloons launched at the crack of dawn Saturday for the third annual Ceres “Skies the Limit” Balloon Festival at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park but stubborn winds grounded tethered flights for the public for a third consecutive year.
Last year’s event was plagued by stronger winds that grounded all but one balloon, so Julian Aguirre, the city’s Economic Development Manager who helped organize the event, called the event successful as did Ceres Recreation Manager Joey Chavez.
“It was very special to see all balloons go up,” said Chavez. “In 2023 we had four balloons go up, 2024 one balloon and 2025 six balloons.”
Due to winds all three years, the public has been unable to enjoy paid tethered balloon flights.
While estimated thousands of persons turned out for the event, the crowd appeared smaller to Ceres Chamber of Commerce President Brandy Meyer. She believes attendance may have dropped due to those who early-risers who turned out in 2024 and were disappointed about flights being cancelled.
“Although the crowd was less than last year we still had an amazing turnout,” acknowledged Aquirre.
After the balloons drifted off into the sky and over Ceres, long lines of persons formed at the RE/MAX balloon hoping to get a tethered ride but the winds swayed it too much.
“It was just too unpredictable so we ended up calling it off,” said Meyer.
Oscar Rodriguez, the high school student who provided the winning art for the event T-shirt contest was treated to a ride but poster contest winner Shefah Kassim was unable to attend the event for a ride. Boarding another balloon were Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra, Ceres Police Officer Officer Lydia Prieto and city of Ceres Finance Director Shannon Esenwein on a flight and landed in a field out of town.
At least one balloon landed outside of Hughson while another made it to Fulkerth Road in Turlock.
The festival relies on participating balloon pilots, some of who continue to return to Ceres for the event. Returnees include Alta Fernandes of Turlock, David Wakefield of Sacramento, Joseph Lamberti of Stockton, Kylee Reeder and Dana “Boomerang” Thornton of Sacramento. New pilots were Brent Rolland of Carlsbad and Peter Pierre of Fresno.
The 60 commercial vendors reported not doing as well as expected, said Meyer, largely due to less foot traffic since booths were placed on the soccer field and not in the parking lot like last year. The city made a decision this year to use the parking lots for parking, which were full.
Chavez said the event requires much time planning and gave credit to the event committee and Recreation Supervisor Jessica Pulliam and Chamber of Commerce secretary Amy Medina.
