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NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Three years ago, then-Mayor Sally Mackay had a vision of turning the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport into a weekend balloon festival. As it turned out she wasn't full of hot air.
With the addition of an air show this time around with dare-devil pilots, a children's science fair, petting zoo, pony rides, military plane exhibits, food and community vendors, the 2011 NSB Balloon and Sky Fest, drew balloon lovers from across Florida and even some from overseas.
With picture-perfect weather, Mackay and other organizers were ecstatic.
"This is what it's all about," Mackay said, pointing to the array of hot air balloons that had just landed and countless children and adults of all ages, cheering and snapping photos and shooting video. "Everybody loves this and New Smyrna Beach is once again the place to be."
Mackay, a one-term mayor originally from England, whose campaign motto was to "save the charm," said New Smyrna Beach has so much to offer its residents and tourists alike -- from its hard-sand beach to its Intracoastal, to trendy Flagler Avenue and its array of quiet neighborhoods and lush greenery. "I wouldn't want to live any where else."
The man who narrowly defeated her two years ago, Mayor Adam Barringer, credited her for the success of the balloon fest, pointing out that some 30,000 people enjoyed the festivities during the three-day event that concluded Sunday with clear blue skies during the three days.
"A lot of credit goes to Sally Mackay," Barringer said. "She started this three years ago and it has grown into an economic engine for New Smyrna Beach."
With signature sponsorship from Brighthouse Networks, the cost to the city was minimal. Crowds were well-behaved and there were no mishaps among the two dozen-plus hot air balloons.
Editor's Note: NSBNews.net shot extensive videos of the event with interviews with those who took to the skies in the balloons, along with interviews with former Mayor Sally Mackay and City Commissioner Jack Grasty. We hope that you enjoy our multi-media coverage, which shows our continued and increasing commitment to community journalism here in New Smyrna Beach and throughout Volusia County with around-the-clock Internet newspaper coverage.