It's Spiedie Fest time, celebrating hot air balloons, music, and our regional specialty, spiedies.
What's a spiedie, you ask? It's marinated meat (there are also vegetarian options), cooked on the grill, and there are endless variations.
For a while, our festival, which is held the first weekend in August in Otsiningo Park in Binghamton, New York, had gotten away from the original intent of the festival, which was to celebrate spiedies with a cooking contest. The festival last year, due to the pandemic, was moved to October and downsized. This year, it's back in full, with a bit more emphasis on the spiedie aspect.
We made the reluctant decision (because I was offered free tickets) not to attend this year. The heat was the major factor. The balloon launches, which normally add to the fun but, this year, are my major part of the enjoyment (as I wasn't keen on any of the musical acts). The organizers allow you to get close up with the launches, launchers and launchees.
So, instead, I am celebrating with some photos from 2018.
Let's not forget what started this off - the marinating sauce. This company is local.
Sadly, this wine, infused with hemp and manufactured locally, was a victim of (as I've read) the federal regulations (although it is not infused with cannabis) that have never been updated despite a number of states (including New York, the festival location) having legalized recreational use of cannabis. The company closed in February, 2020.
Oh yes, the balloon launches. These balloonists, I believe, are still local.
Like I said, you can get quite close.
Inflation, the good kind.
Up, up and away, 2018 style.
I've never been in a hot air balloon. Riding in one is not cheap, although that wouldn't keep me away if I was truly motivated.
Some of the launches are cancelled due to weather (too much wind, threat of thunderstorms). Safety first, always! This year, I believe all the launches went up as scheduled, which is rare, but our drought may have had something to do with that. Of course, there are interesting moments. I understand that one of the balloons this year landed on top of a movie theater close to Otsiningo Park.
Next year? Let's make it a definite maybe. And hope the weather is a touch cooler.