NATCHEZ — The most technically challenging drop of the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race is the barge drop, and it’s usually the race least likely to get off the ground.

At the same time, it’s the fan favorite

With the weather not permitting the drop last year, the crowds were ready and waiting for the return this year.

Great Mississippi River Balloon Race public relations coordinator Sally Durkin said approximately two thirds of the balloons took off for the afternoon flight but only two attempted the barge drop.

“Some of the pilots were wary about the wind direction so they didn’t fly,” she said.

Sam Edwards of Lakeway, Texas, won the barge drop. He was the first pilot in the air, and the only pilot to successfully toss his beanbag onto the barge.

Tom Oberheide of Cary, Ill., was three feet from landing on the barge.

After his toss, Oberheide flew his red balloon with a white stripe over the bridge and south of Natchez before running into trouble.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., when Oberheide was in the air over the Mississippi River, the winds simply stopped blowing.

With no wind to move his balloon, Oberheide couldn’t move.

“(He) got hung out over the middle of the river and had to have a boat throw him a line and take him to land,” Durkin said. “It was a real slow and controlled tow, and no one was hurt. They just landed and packed up.”

Oberheide’s balloon did not touch the water before the tow, and the situation was safe for all involved, Durkin said.

Whenever balloons are flying over the Mississippi River, river traffic is temporarily shut down, as was the case Saturday. Rescue boats are positioned in the water throughout the race, including a U.S. Coast Guard boat and the local sheriff’s office boats.

The rest of the event ran smoothly, Durkin said.

Ross and Cynthia Poret from Baton Rouge were in town for their third Natchez balloon race, and said they always enjoy the barge dorp.

“There are some pretty hard winds over the water,” Ross said. “Plus you have to watch out for the bridge and the water. It’s dramatic.”

Cynthia said the entire race day was very relaxing.

“We’re balloonatics,” she said. “They are so quiet and peaceful to watch. It’s just calming to watch them.”

Mike Thomas of Hammond, La., has been camped out along the bluff since Friday for his fourth Natchez race.

“The balloons are just very pretty to look at and they float nice and slow,” he said.

Thomas said the atmosphere at the festival is always something he enjoys.

“This is one of the friendliest places you can go,” he said. “Everyone is nice and welcoming, only in Natchez does this happen.”

Betty D’Aquilla from Centreville said this was her first time attending the event and said she was amazed at the skill of the pilots.

“They can’t steer the balloon, and they are trying to drop it on a barge on a river,” she said. “It’s amazing if they get close let alone hit the target.”

D’Aquilla said she was glad she finally made it out to the race.

“I have always heard about this but I have never gone,” she said. “It has been wonderful weather and a wonderful experience.”