NATCHEZ — Hot-air balloons illuminated more than the Natchez night sky during Friday’s balloon glow.

The balloons also illuminated the expressions of joy and wonder on the faces of the young and the young at heart.

Mary and Mark Dobson of southeast Louisiana are sharing their Great Mississippi River Balloon Race experience with their 1-and-a-half-year-old daughter Marissa, who wandered excitedly around Rosalie’s Bicentennial Gardens before her mother scooped her off the soggy ground.

“This is the first one for all of us. We’re so excited,” Mary said. “We like the balloons.”

Melissa Stogner of Natchez and daughters Kenley, 4 months, and Taylor, 2, also shared in the Dobsons’ excitement.

Melissa attended the balloon glow with her parents, Arthur and Linda Faust, who relished her youngest granddaughter’s first balloon glow and her oldest granddaughter’s birthday celebration.

“We don’t miss the balloon glow ever,” Linda said. “And (Taylor) was born the weekend of the balloon race.”

“It’s a family tradition,” Melissa added. “It’s just beautiful, and the music, it’s great, and it’s just, you know, it’s Natchez.”

Rod and Stephanie Lindsey of Natchez feasted on carnival treats with sons Hayden, 11, Ryan, 8, and daughter Alli, 2, as they watched the first balloons take shape. Alli’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped at the sight as big brother Hayden held her in his arms.

“It’s more fun for the kids to let them see the balloons,” Stephanie said. “They see them in the air, but they’re not nearly as big in the air as they are on the ground.”

Wayne Jones of Grenada, formerly of Natchez, escorted his three granddaughters to the balloon glow.

Sara Catherine Brooks, 8, of Water Valley, Evey Brooks, 3 of Water Valley and Roxie Jackson, 10, of Starkville could barely contain their excitement as night fell.

“I just like watching the balloons,” Sara Catherine said.

“This is my first balloon race, and it’s big and pretty,” Roxie said.

Seventeen-month-old Blake Pennington of Columbus could not mask his enthusiasm either. As he tapped his foot to the Jerry Lee Lewis hit “Great Balls of Fire” in his stroller, mother Kara kneeled at his side and pointed out the sights and sounds.

“We brought him last year when he was younger, but this is the first time he’s old enough to know to be fascinated with it,” she said.