Hot Air Fest

Approximately 150-200 area special-needs residents got the chance to go on a hot air balloon ride Thursday evening at the Van Wert County Regional Airport. The special-needs groups were able to take balloon rides, thanks to a grant from the national Elks organization, while Elks Lodge 1197 in Van Wert provided snacks for the area residents (click here for more photos from the event). (photo by Russ LaBounty for the Van Wert independent)