This year’s Fest had some great photo opportunities and allowed people to snap some pictures of the balloons and grab a few selfies. Kids got the memory of climbing into the basket and lighting the fire. More than one visitor recalled a spectacular balloon ride from their past. (Photo by Adela Crandell Durkee/for Chronicle Media)

Just two weeks in the United States and Thais Souza chose to attend the inaugural Harvard Balloon Fest at Milky Way Park in Harvard Sept. 2-4.

Nonprofit organizations from Harvard and surrounding communities got a chance to earn funds for their cause in exchange for volunteering to take tickets, direct traffic, keep the grounds clean, and a myriad of other chores needed to make the Fest run smoothly.

Souza grew up about a three-hour drive from San Paulo, Brazil and works in Buffalo Grove as an au pair. She thinks the United States is amazing, especially the traffic.

“It’s so much better here,” she said.

A little closer to home, Lake in the Hills resident, Greg Scerbicke and his daughter, Rebecca, decided to include a morning launch viewing as part of their hiking weekend.

Over the course of the Fest , 10 balloons launched at sunrise and sunset. The three night launches included Night Glow shows, where the balloon pilots alternately burst and quenched their flames to put on a spectacular show.

After the balloons took flight, visitors attended a craft and open air market, took tethered balloon rides, jumped on giant inflatables, went zip-lining, rock-climbing, or another Xtreme Rides. Hungry visitors enjoyed food, pop, and beer. Each evening, local bands like “Guys with Bad Eyes,” “On a Dime,” and “13-Monsters” entertained visitors in exchange for food and ride wristbands.

Over the course of the Fest , 10 balloons launched at sunrise and sunset. The three night launches included Night Glow shows, where the balloon pilots alternately burst and quenched their flames to put on a spectacular show. (Photo by Adela Crandell Durkee/for Chronicle Media)

According to Francine Boland-Kelly, wife of organizer Mike Kelly, the estimated attendance was in the tens of thousands, perhaps “we estimate more than 7,000 each day.” Besides parking at the venue, local entrepreneurs provided shuttle transportation from the train station.

Visitors new to balloon festivals may have been surprised that balloons were not always present. According to Boland-Kelly, who has attended many festivals around the country, “weather is a big factor” in what can be seen on any given day. “That’s why it’s important to have other sources of entertainment. Besides weather, the balloons cannot fly back to the launch sites, which some visitors may not remember.

Ballooning requires a pilot license. The pilot has a 40-item checklist and criteria for take-off. Oftentimes, expectant riders or watchers get disappointed because weather prevents a take-off. Pilots in the area consider safety their utmost concern. Illinois has a good safety record only one balloon crashed in Illinois in the last 10 years.

This year’s Fest had some great photo opportunities and allowed people like Souza and the Scerbickes to snap some pictures of the balloons and grab a few selfies. Kids got the memory of climbing into the basket and lighting the fire. More than one visitor recalled a spectacular balloon ride from their past.

The City of Harvard and Nancy Shepherd Photography are sponsoring a Harvard Hot Air Balloon Photography Contest. All images must be sent via email to nshepherdphoto@sbcglobal.net by Sept. 18, 2016. Each participant may enter up to five photographs. The contest has two divisions, adult and student. Winners will be announced Sept. 29. For more information about the contest, go to http://harvardballoonfest.com/photo-contest/

All photographs will be displayed at https://nshepherdphotography.smugmug.com/Harvard-Balloon-Fest for for an easy people’s choice award, starting Sept. 18.