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(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Ellie Perrin holds onto a balloon while watching her mother and Dale Tibodeau take off during the afternoon flight. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Mary Kathryn Carpenter / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Eden Smith, 5, chases after bubbles during The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race Festival Saturday on the bluff. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Mary Kathryn Carpenter / The Natchez Democrat)

(Mary Kathryn Carpenter / The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — For the first time since 2011, the barge drop event returned to the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race, but no balloon pilots were able to reach the elusive target.

Balloonmeister Bill Cunningham said just 21 of the 50 balloons entered into the competition hit the early morning targets behind the Natchez Mall.

“It was a pretty morning and everything went great other than that wind change that shifted the balloons off target,” Cunningham said.

Curtis Moroney, with the festival, said it was nice to have the barge drop event back, even though it wasn’t officially going to be factored into the competition.

“After a few years not flying it, it will be a wonderful treat,” he said before Saturday afternoon’s event. “It goes a long way to making our success.”

While many pilots decided to opt out of attempting to hit the barge due to concerns of ending up in “no man’s land,” Dale Tibodeau of Conroe, Texas, said he’d “give it a whirl.”

“It could be a long flight if you miss — I’ve had that happen before,” he said. “There are some places out there where you can’t get a vehicle.

“While you can steer a little, you have to line up with the wind. It’s a little bit skill and a lot of luck. We’ll see!”

Sophia England, 9, of New Orleans, the daughter of Natchez native James England, was in Natchez for her first balloon race watching her father help get Tibodeau sky bound.

“I think it is beautiful — I like all of the colors,” she said. “My dad is helping blow the balloon up. I think it is going to go very high in the sky.”

James England said he loved the balloon race when he was a child, and it was great to experience it with his family. Another bonus, England said, was many of his friends came back with their families so it was a chance to catch up.

“My kids get to meet some of the kids of the people I grew up with,” England said. “We live in New Orleans now, which is a big city, so it’s good to be back in a small town.

“It’s wholesome, and they are just having a great time.”

Mike Wadley of Weldon Springs, Mo., said he thought about attempting to hit the barge, but then decided to just go for a fun flight. Wadley said he’s had a good time at the event.

“We took off from Co-Lin and flew to the river this morning,” Wadley said. “We missed the drop at the mall, but we still had a great flight.”

Edward Hardin of Natchez works at the mall.

“We need more events like this in Natchez,” he said. “We sure do need some good around here, and this is a good event.

“It brings a lot of people out to the mall and I think it’s good for business.”

Eight-year-old Dusty Wilson of Natchez was enjoying some mother-daughter time with Amanda Wilson at the Natchez Mall early in the morning. Dusty said she comes to the festival every year.

“I love the balloons,” she said. “My favorite was the Ole Miss one because it had the colors of my favorite football team.

“Balloons are so cool and they go up real high.”

Amanda Wilson said the balloon race is perfect time to hang out with her daughter and leave life’s other concerns behind.

“The work week is so crazy, so it’s good to spend time with just her and no other distractions,” she said. “We have a great time talking and spending time one on one.”

Following Saturday’s events, Anthony Seeger of South Carolina leads with 2910 points. Richard Sabin of Texas and Jason Gaines of Missouri are in second and third with 2770 and 2690 points.

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