Sept. 12, 2009- Joe Ritchie, the pilot of ‘Black Pearl’, a 90,000 cubic feet hot air balloon from Sullivan, MO., cleans out grass debris as another balloon lights up behind him at the Macomb Balloon Rally on Saturday September 12, 2009.
“When you’re blowing the heat in with the burners, you can actually ignite some of those little pieces (grass) and they’ll float up and burn like little bitty pin holes in the balloon,” said Ritchie.
A total of 28 balloons showed up for the annual event. (Photo by Adam Sacasa)
