This excerpt appeared in the article, "Stark County residents share their favorite Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival memories," on CantonRep.com on Wednesday, July 17. Written by Kelli Weir. .
In the article, Michael Wheeler, president and chief legal officer of Patriot Software and one of Kent State Stark's Distinguished Alumni recipients, shares how the Balloon Classic has become a family tradition.
Mike Wheeler carries on the tradition of admiring 'the balloons'
Everyone loves that up-close experience when a glittering fireworks show leads to those gut-pounding grand finale booms that seemingly echo and reverberate right through you! Without question, going to "the balloons" at the Friends and Family Celebration at the Kent State Stark campus remains among our most cherished (and never to be missed!) Wheeler family traditions.
Never been? Make the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Balloon Classic and fireworks part of your 2024 must-attend events. Seeing the gorgeous rolling hills of the Kent State Stark campus fill with food vendors, festivalgoers, balloon races, amazing "night glow," and balloon launches in the mornings and evenings brings a magical sense of community as colorful hot air balloons annually dot our skies for a long weekend every summer!
You'll be surprised how big those balloons are! When our sons were little, we heard a very loud sound outside our home early in the morning one day, abruptly awakening us at the light of dawn. It turned out that an empty lot nearby was the perfect launching point for the race that morning.
We woke the boys up and brought them outside in their jammies to really feel the magic and expertise required to bring those old-fashioned dinosaurs of the air to flight with precision enough to win the race at the Kent State Stark campus. What a cherished experience with our sweet neighbors Dave and Susie Gardner.
Another time, we stood waist-deep in the waters of Lake Cable as the aeronaut (the person who flies the hot air balloon) actually brought the basket so low that they almost tapped the water. Of course, we jumped on our boat and, as any family with young boys would do, we honked the horn, waved our arms and yelled our "hellos!" up to the heavens.
Most certainly, we've all seen the balloons fill our horizon on those balmy summer days — a site that makes you remember why it's so absolutely wonderful to call Canton, Ohio, home. This is the best time of the year to be in Stark County.
Pro Football Hall of Fame week is always filled with delights. But those hot air balloons, no matter where you are, are available to every single Stark County resident and visitor willing to slow down and take a moment to gaze up, just as children have for generations.
From a dad who went to "the balloons" as a kid, I'd tell ya time and time again to make the effort to go — it's worth it — I wouldn't trade these memories with my wife and sons for the world.
Wheeler is a part-owner, president and chief legal officer of Patriot Software and serves on multiple boards including Consumers National Bank, Stark State College and the YMCA of Central Stark County.