Attendees gather to watch the first hot air balloon launch of the day at roughly 5:45 a.m. The festival balloons launch early in order to avoid winds that occur later in the day. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
Hot air balloons fly when the air trapped inside the balloon is heated up by a burner, which causes the air inside the envelope to be less dense and lighter than the air outside. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
The balloon called ‘Carried Away’ glows as flames emerge from the burner. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
A crew helps prepare ‘Carried Away’ for takeoff. Hot air balloons are classified as a type of aircraft just like helicopters and airplanes are. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
The envelope of the ‘Re/Max’ balloon is attached to the basket and stretched out onto the ground before being filled with air. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
The first balloon of the festival rises with dawn. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
‘Carried Away’ is the first balloon to take to the sky and holds the flag for the national anthem. The balloon’s pilot, Fred Dinkler, previously flew as an Attack Helicopter Commander in the United States Marine Corps for a decade. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
Three balloons line up to take off. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
A balloon’s burner heats the air inside the envelope and allows the pilot to control the rate of ascent and descent. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
‘Terry Mouse’ takes to the sky. Adults and children alike took notice to the balloon’s resemblance of “Jerry” from the cartoon ‘Tom and Jerry.’ Across the way, The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
Festival attendees watch the morning sky for balloons. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
A young boy wears headphones to muffle the startling sound made when a balloon’s burner ignites. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
The crew of ‘Fallen Angels’ waves as the balloon takes off. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
Festival attendees watch the morning sky for balloons. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
Festival attendees watch the morning sky for balloons. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
‘Firenze’ clears the treetops as it floats into the distant horizon. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
A good boy receives attention. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
Balloons have been associated with the Wonder Bread brand since 1921. The well-known sliced bread’s name came to be when Taggart Baking Company VP Elmer Cline was struck by a sense of “wonder” while watching the hot air balloons at the International Balloon Race at the Indianapolis Speedway. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
A balloon’s fuel supply is contained in the basket. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
Wonder Bread pilot Chris Sabia demonstrates use of a hot air balloon’s burner. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
As winds begin to pick up, the last few balloons must come down. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
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As winds begin to pick up, the last few balloons must come down. The 34th annual Festival of Balloons takes place in Tigard, Ore. on June 23, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)