SEQUIM — Free tethered balloon rides for veterans are planned Saturday.
They will provide early-morning visitors to Sequim Irrigation Festival events with something to do before festival activities begin, according to Captain Crystal Stout, executive director of Dream Catcher Balloon.
The tethered rides — which while being offered free to veterans will cost the general public $10 each — will be from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at a vacant lot on East Washington Street and South Center Park Way across the street from Bellevue Healthcare, Stout said.
The rides will be in a seat with a five-point harness specially designed for those with mobility issues.
Anyone who can walk or wheel to the balloon can ride, said Stout, who will be seated next to the rider.
The tethers will allow the balloons to climb to at east 25 feet and perhaps up to 100 feet, depending upon the comfort of the rider and the weather, Stout said.
“The earlier the better; it means less wind,” she said.
The rides are part of the group’s Bucket List Balloon Rides for Veterans Tour.
Dream Catcher Balloon is a 501(c)(3) organization which gives rides to everyone. Donations are welcomed and support the nonprofit program with travel and aircraft equipment costs.
For more information contact Stout at 360-601-2433, Dreamer@nwplace.com or www.DreamCatcherBalloon.org