Hot Air Fest dampened

The first day of the Hot Air Festival was largely lost to rain, as rain that hit the area grounded the 19 hot air balloons that came for the event. Propane burner “glows” such as this one was the only balloon activity of the night, as the storms washed out the rest of Friday’s balloon events. Singer Todd Allen Herendeen’s concert also had to be moved from the grandstand indoors to the Agriculture Building because of the storms. Organizers hope that the rain will stay away today so that the full schedule of events can take place (click here for a full schedule of events). (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)