Josh Gautier holds on tight to a rope that is tethered to the &uot;Arky&uot; balloon Wednesday afternoon as Amber Martin reaches up from the shoulders of William Zei to touch one of the animals on the ark. Members of Merritt Ministry from Tracy, Calif., brought a 1/4 scale replica of the balloon that they will fly in the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race Saturday to show to the children at the Natchez Children’s Home. The balloon race begins with a balloon glow Friday night and continues with music, balloon races, food and fun for children throughout the weekend.