Hot air balloons to glow above Kennesaw

Festival quick facts

Hot air ballooning terminology

Basket: Also referred to as the gondola; the part of the balloon used to carry the pilot and any passengers, fuel tanks and other equipment. Constructed from wicker and a lightweight wood base.

Burner: The device used to ignite and project flammable fuel (propane gas) up into the envelope, to heat the air in a hot air balloon. Burners come in a variety of configurations and powers (that are measured in British thermal units, usually in the millions).

Envelope: The portion of the balloon that holds the heated air.

Glows: Night events; the balloon is secured to the ground and illuminated when the propane is fired, causing a vibrant glow.

Tether: The securing of the balloon to the ground and raising it up into the air.

Atlantans are in for a rare treat Saturday, with a little trick-or-treating thrown in for good measure though Halloween is six days away.

The 2013 Owl-O-Ween Hot Air Balloon Festival comes to Kennesaw State University for a night of arts and crafts, circus sideshow acts, food, the Village People and other bands, and the star of the evening, hot air balloons.

Held on the 88 acres of Kennesaw State’s Sports Park and inside the KSU Stadium, the “glow,” as nighttime events are called, will give attendees a chance to get up close and personal with these massive hot air balloons and witness the balloons illuminate or glow when the propane is fired by the burner on takeoff.

“This is similar to a wildly popular event in Arizona with the night glow of the balloons,” said Marty Elliott, executive director of the stadium and Sports Park. “It’s a joint effort between Kennesaw State and hot air balloon pilots.”

How impressive are these aircraft that have been around since the 18th century?

“They are seven stories tall, and when illuminated, they look like big light bulbs,” event organizer Andrew Miller said. “You could put 100,000 basketballs in these impressive balloons, and when you see it, you will be in awe.”

Atlanta’s own Chase Donner, the 2012 U.S. national hot air balloon champion, will fly his balloon to Kennesaw, and he says festival patrons will see the balloons in flight, witness the glows as pilots fire them up, and talk to the pilots.

“Pre event, we’ll be mixing in some fun competition over the skies of Kennesaw, and in addition to all of the standard (multicolor balloons), we will have some special-shaped balloons at Owl-O-Ween.”

He hinted at a skunk-shaped balloon and one that has a “purple people eaters” theme.

Those wishing to experience the sensation of takeoff in a balloon will be able to buy a ride in a tethered balloon, rising 50 to 70 feet in the air before being pulled back to earth.

“This will give festival goers the experience of takeoff and being up in a balloon,” Miller said.

In addition to all the hot air balloon activity, Owl-O-Ween will also offer main stage entertainment featuring the Village People, a beer garden, food trucks and the High-Tech Halloween Costume Contest, where the results will be tabulated on social media to crown a winner.