STATESVILLE, NC – The 45th annual Carolina Balloonfest kicked off in Iredell County skies this weekend.

  • Carolina Balloonfest is happening in Statesville this weekend.
  • It runs through Sunday at 6 p.m.
  • Rain dampened the festival early Saturday, but weather is expected to improve. 

By the end of the weekend, fifty balloons are set to fill the sky. The launches are scheduled for later Saturday, after rain caused balloons to be grounded in the morning.

Some people say it was a little disappointing.

 "We drove down from Asheville and we left super early this morning thinking this might be the only time that they do fly,” spectator Dylan Dicus says. “It was a little disappointing when they said they weren't going to but plenty of other stuff to do."

Pilots say the festival is a rare chance for the public to get up close.

"There's not many festivals in the US anymore that will actually let the people come near the balloons,” pilot Kenny Shumate says.

Money raised goes to charities and community organizations who volunteer at the fest. In recent years, National Balloon Rally Charities, Inc. has awarded more than $500,000 of Carolina BalloonFest proceeds to dozens of community organizations

The event runs through Sunday at 6 p.m. Find more information on http://www.carolinaballoonfest.com.

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