JACKSON, MI - Weather canceled all balloon activities Friday on the first day of the Jackson Hot Air Jubilee.
After the Good Morning Jackson launch was postponed due to weather, event organizers announced weather forced the cancellation of all balloon activities for July 20. A 6:30 p.m. flight and night glow at dusk were scheduled.
Officials said they will wait until Saturday morning to determine if the hot-air balloons will fly. The next flight is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. July 21.
As of 7:15 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service is reporting showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 a.m. on Saturday morning in Jackson.
A tethered balloon titled the DreamShip also did not fly Friday. Jubilee guests could ride the balloon for a donation to Folds of Honor, which provides educational opportunities to children of fallen or wounded military members.
The one-day helicopter rides were operating until the impending weather forced operations to stop around 5:30 p.m. Some people were still able enjoy the helicopter rides, which were offered for the first time this year.
Jackson residents Chris Harris and Wendy Pantangco took their son, 2-year-old Tristan Harris, on the helicopter ride.
"He was scared at first but once we got in the air he loved it," Chris Harris said of Tristan.
Before the rain kicked in after 6 p.m., participants enjoyed a carnival, kids games and food.
Cindy Fukazawa lives in Houston, Texas, but is visiting family in Parma. She took her twin daughters, 5-year-olds Hannah and Stella, to the carnival.
It was Fukazawa's first time at the jubilee, she said, and her daughters' as well.
"They're enjoying the rides," she said.
The tentative event schedule for the remainder of the jubilee is below. Balloon launches are weather permitting.
Saturday, July 21
- 6:30 a.m. -- Morning Launch
- 10 a.m. -- Craft booths, concessions, carnival open
- Noon -- Auto show registration begins
- Noon to 6 p.m. -- Kids Kingdom
- 1 to 5 p.m. -- Auto show
- 2 to 3 p.m. -- Entertainment: Jackson School of the Arts
- 3 to 6 p.m. -- Ella Sharp Museum open (Admission by donation)
- 3 to 4:30 p.m. -- Entertainment: DJ
- 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. -- Pilot meet-and-greet at launch field
- 3:30 to 3:40 p.m. -- Jackson High School Drumline
- 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. -- Entertainment: The Outsides
- 6 to 9 p.m. -- Ella Sharp Patio open
- 6:30 p.m. -- Evening Launch
- 7:15 to 9 p.m. -- Entertainment: Third Down
- Dusk -- Night Glow
Sunday, July 22
- 6:30 a.m. -- Morning Launch