There’s something so meditative and calm about hot air balloons.

Whether you’re along for the ride or just watching from the ground.

The way they float along the breeze, no engine, just a flame every now and again from the burners that cause them to catch air.

“It’s such an amazing way to fly and see the world,” said Troy Bradley, chief pilot for Rainbow Ryders. “No two flights are the same. You can take off from the same location and never land in the same place twice.”

Bradley will be one of the 80 to 90 pilots flying 70 balloons at this year’s free Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off in Memorial Park. The 49th annual event is Saturday through Monday. Ten of those balloons will be specially shaped, including Ziggy the raccoon and Mario the race car.

The park and concessions open at

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