By Roy York

The roaring flames from 15 hot air balloons created explosions of color that illuminated the Balloon Glow Field Party on Friday night.

The Student Activities Board presented the balloon glow as the finale to the Little Kentucky Derby, an annual three-day festival that brings the spirit of the Kentucky Derby to Lexington.

More than 1,300 UK students, UK alumni and members of the Lexington community attended the event, said Lizzie Roelker, director of traditions for SAB.

“This one blows last year out of the water,” Roelker said on Friday. “We ran out of food three times.”

Tom Hazlett, a psychology junior, and Jackie Connelly, an art education junior, said the event had a little something for everyone.

“It’d be a great cheap date,” said Hazlett, who was standing in line to battle Connelly in the inflatable joust.

As people moved through the crowd, the balloon light show lit up an assortment of inflatable games, a Frisbee spin art event and people waiting to get airbrush tattoos. The band semiCIRCUS played covers of classic rock songs.

SAB provided hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks all for $3.

Admission to the event was free for everyone, and every UK student received 15 free tickets to be redeemed for Frisbee spin art, airbrush tattoos or minutes on inflatable games. The general public could purchase five tickets for a dollar.

Over Little Kentucky Derby’s three-day celebration, Roelker estimates SAB spent over $20,000 to plan and put on the events. More than 150 SAB staff, student volunteers and professional experts were involved in the annual event.

 

Hannah Newman, 3, while being held by family friend Kelley White, admires the hot air balloons at the Little Kentucky Derby’s Balloon Glow Field Party at the Good Barn Field Friday night. Photo by Kristin Sherrard |Staff