Balloon "Glow"

Shortly before Christmas, the largest mall in Las Cruces sponsored a balloon "glow" event. A "glow" involves inflating the balloons after dark to get the effect of light inside the canopy without lifting off.

The first picture shows several balloons in initial stage of inflation. Large engine-powered fans are used to get the balloons inflated to the point that it is safe to light their very powerful propane burners. 

The second picture shows one balloon fully inflated, while another is getting close to upright inflation.

The third picture shows a balloon glowing after the propane burners have been ignited. "Glowing" takes place in short bursts because the glow is created by the propane burner which generates the hot air necessary for flight. So, if you don't want to fly, there is only a limited amount of "glowing" you can do.

The fourth picture shows several balloons "glowing." It was difficult to synchonize the "glowing" because the balloons were different sizes and because "glowing" really is the by-product of generating hot air to keep the balloon upright.  If you're not going anywhere, it doesn't take much hot air so glows occur in short bursts.