The 32nd Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival kicked off in Plainville on Friday.
Thousands flocked to Norton Park to grab food, check out vendors, and most importantly see about a dozen hot air balloons.
The event is a fundraiser for the Plainville Fire Company.
This year organizers hoped to avoid the traffic gridlock of previous years due to increasing crowds headed to the festival.
During the three-day festival, public parking will not be available on Friday or Saturday at the park.
People are requested to park in one of four off-site locations and then take a shuttle to the site.
The lots include Robertson Airport and Carling Technologies, both on Johnson Avenue. The other locations include the GE main parking lot on Woodford Avenue and Plainville High School.
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Regular festival-goers said they noticed the ease in traveling to the festival this year.
On Friday about a dozen balloon teams took place in a so-called “glow.”
Balloons are tethered to the ground and illuminated in the dark with their flames, delighting the crowd of thousands of people.
“Absolutely gorgeous. I’ve never experienced anything like this,” said Jill Polverari of Southington.
Pilot David Buckingham oversaw a crew and volunteers.
They rolled out, blew up, and raised the balloon in about 20 minutes.
Buckingham's balloon will take flight several times this weekend.
“It’s amazing. To me it’s the best way to fly,” said Buckingham.
If you want to come down Saturday or Sunday, admission is free.
