Balloons take off!

A number of hot air balloons get off the ground Friday evening as the Van Wert Hot Air Festival gets underway at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. Today’s activities included a Dawn Patrol balloon flight (inset) early this morning, as well as two other balloon flights, a balloon glow, entertainment by Todd Allen Herendeen and others, and a fireworks display. (photos by Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)