Weather may have stalled inaugural Hot Air Balloon Festival, but plans in the works for 2023

Spectators watch as two hot air balloons are filled at sunset at the St. Augustine Hot Air Balloon Festival at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds Sunday, March 13, 2022.
Spectators watch as two hot air balloons are filled at sunset at the St. Augustine Hot Air Balloon Festival at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds Sunday, March 13, 2022.

A large crowd attended the inaugural St. Augustine Hot Air Balloon Festival at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds on Sunday, March 13. The event, which took place over the weekend, was limited because of inclement weather on Saturday and high winds and cold on Sunday.

People struggle to control a hot air balloon in strong winds at the St. Augustine Hot Air Balloon Festival at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds Sunday, March 13, 2022.
People struggle to control a hot air balloon in strong winds at the St. Augustine Hot Air Balloon Festival at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds Sunday, March 13, 2022.

“The weather was not what we hoped for this weekend, but I think people still had fun with the live music, food vendors and games for the kids,” said Jeremy Kwaterski, director of the festival. “We came here because this has never been done here, and we will be back. We have already reserved the fairgrounds for next year.”

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: St. Augustine Hot Air Balloon Festival still a success despite weather