PHOTOS: Hot Air Balloons Wow Sonoma Crowd

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — More than 30 crews from as far away as Belgium brought their giant masterpieces June 9-10 to the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic. Those inflated early Saturday, June 9 before winds forced them down included "The Lovebirds," from Simi Valley; hometown balloon, "Terry the Mouse," of Windsor, with David Dunrud as pilot; "Sushi," a ruby-lipped fish from Nevada; and "Tom Cat," from Newport Beach.

Those who showed up early for the popular festival held at Keiser Park in Windsor for a pre-dawn tradition got a treat. Instead of the usual four or five balloons lifting off for "Dawn Patrol," this year eight balloons were inflated at 5 a.m. for a "Glow Show" honoring first responders for their hard work during the October 2017 wildfires. Burners were used to light up the inside of the balloons, each with a different pattern symbolizing firefighters, police, medical personnel and others.

But not even Darth Vader nor various other Star Wars characters including Stormtroopers had enough force to counter the winds that started blowing around 7 a.m.

Photos by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com