JAN 21, 24 .. THE LAST DAY OF THE 2024 HAVASU BALLOON FESTIVAL

Today..  Sunday the 21st of January 2024..

IS the last day of the THE 2024 HAVASU BALLOON FESTIVAL.

The below photos were snapped yesterday on Saturday the 20th of January.

The Main Entrance to the Festival.

A fun balloon!

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Today is another NFL Playoff double header. First the Tampa Bay Buccaneers go to Detroit to play the Lions in the afternoon. Then, in the evening, the Kansas City Chiefs visit the Buffalo Bills in the second game.

We plan to watch both Sunday games.

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Saturday the 20th of January.

I was up early and reported at 8am to the location that was assigned to me by the Havasu Balloon Festival Volunteer Committee. I was supposed to distribute water to the 5K joggers / 10K runners at the halfway point of the event as I did last year. 

It was a somewhat remote location but no matter I did the job.

When I arrived at my station Saturday morning, no other volunteers had arrived yet. After only a few minutes three other volunteers arrived. They all arrived together, in the same vehicle, and seemed to be friends. One, who was obviously the leader of the three of them, came up to me and greeted me. Because only two of us did this quite satisfactorily last year, I asked her if she thought it was necessary to have four people distributing water. She said no, not really. So I begged off and left the station.

I then went to the Volunteer’s Headquarters at the mail entrance to the Festival.

I simply don’t understand this about myself BUT it is what it is! When I went into the headquarters, Nancy the Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, called out to me by name. Keep in mind this is only my second year of being a volunteer. Nancy asked why I wasn’t out at the water distribution table at the mid point of the 5K / 10K event. I told her why and she immediately asked me to jump into her golf cart and took me to the starting point of the 5K / 10K event saying there would be things I could assist with there. 

Well? There was indeed a “much needed task” and it was given to me. Now I am on a first name with the lady in charge of the 5K / 10K event, her husband and Nancy.

Go Figure!

Below are a few photos showing the “Action”, and trust me, there was plenty of “Action” at the start of the 5K / 10K event!

At first I helped out distributing water and bananas to the participants. Similar to last year.

Then I got busy photographing the “Action” at the starting line. 

Oh Yes Indeed. She wheeled her baby the 5K. They may be a couple with the two children! Great family outing!

In the next two photos below, will you all just look at their “Hi Tech Space Age” running shoes. Talk about “cushioning” your knees!

All members of the below group were wearing the above “Hi Tech Space Age” running shoes!

I snapped the last two photos below from my post.

You are seeing entrants approaching the end of the course.

In the above photo, you can see the road turns off to the contestants right.

It was my “Assignment” to motion them to go to their left to get to the finish line about 20 yards further. I was able to comfortably sit in a chair and NOT stand for one full hour.

In spite of my being in my position, some tried to (mistakenly) turn to their right (my left) and thanked me for correcting them. All seemed ready to finish and relax.

All In All, it was much more fun and interesting to “work” the start of the race than distribute water in the remote location I had last year.

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Yes indeed. Patti and I watched the two Saturday games.

At the very end of the 1st half, the Texans missed a field goal they should have made. They should have led 13 – 10 at halftime. It seemed to “take the starch out of them” missing a close in field goal and they did not score again in the game! There is no question Baltimore should have won the game, and did, but upsets occur.

The evening game was a “Very Tense Nail Biter” right to the final seconds! We wanted the 49ers to win. Entering the final quarter the Packers “were in command” leading 21 – 14. 

With the Packers leading 21 – 17 and just over 6 minutes remaining in the game, the 49ers went on a 12 play 69 yard touchdown drive, making it Packers 21 and the 49ers 24. The Packers had the ball and just over one minute to drive for a field goal or touchdown. Oops the 49ers Dre Greenlaw intercepted Packers quarterback Jordan Love to end the game.

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Time For Bed! It has been a busy day.

Cap and Patti

• ← JAN 20, 24 (1/2) .. THE HAVASU BALLOON FEST ROCKS ON..
• JAN 22, 24 .. THE 2024 HAVASU BALLOON FESTIVAL IS OVER →