Hot air balloon rides for Fourth

CRESCENT BAR - For those who are willing to rise early, there will be an added treat in the park on July 3 for the Fourth of July celebration.

If the weather permits.

Bob Gilmore, who is working in the area this summer and staying at Crescent Bar, is offering tethered hot air balloon rides from 6-9 a.m. He will take riders up about 50 feet, or tree top level, for a two-minute look-see at the surroundings.

"I give them the feeling of what it's like to be up in a balloon," Gilmore said.

But Gilmore warns that poor weather could ruin the morning. If there is rain or high winds, he won't go up.

All that Gilmore asks is donations for the rides. After paying his propane expenses, he will donate any leftover money to the Quincy animal shelter.

Gilmore asks those who might come to the park from 6-9 a.m. not to bring dogs near the balloon. It generally scares them and could lead to serious problems.

Gilmore will put the balloon away for the parade and the remainder of the day. But he plans to set up for a night glow at 8 p.m. in the park, across main street from the fireworks.

"We have to stay away from the fireworks because they can cause problems for the balloon," he said.

Gilmore, who lives in Burlington, is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He is a construction electrician on the Dell computer server farm project in Quincy.

Gilmore expects to be in the area about a year and will live in North Park for the duration. He started flying hot air balloons in 1989.

In other Fourth of July news, former U.S. Air Force member Bob Duda reported last Saturday that he has all of the flag bearers he needs for the first-ever parade color guard.

"They volunteered right away," he said. "We have some real patriots in the community."

Parade organizer Karen Wirta reminds all who want to participate to appear at the staging area, next to the fire station, at 9 a.m. Sign-ups and judging will begin immediately.

The theme of the parade is "Our American Heroes."