Grounded balloons give guests a chance to test their guts

Although the balloons were not flying because of inclement weather, visitors to the Freedom Balloon Fest in Fuquay-Varina on Sunday got a chance to get up close with the pilots at the afternoon meet-and-greet.

Pilots spent the day drying out their balloons after low clouds aborted morning take-offs and entertaining the crowds that came out to Fleming Loop Park anyway.

Kari Nicolay brought the family for a dry run while the basket was still on the ground.

"I don't know how I feel about being in one going up," she said. "This is about how far I would go, just being on the ground."

Jovette Walsh, too, took advantage of the opportunity to hop in a balloon basket.

"I've never been in one of these before," she said, while the balloon's crew snapped her picture.

Walsh said the experience on the ground got her comfortable in the basket and ready to soar.

"So far, so good," she said.