KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI –– The Kalamazoo Balloon Fest returned for its 10th year on Friday, Aug. 22.

Throughout the weekend, dozens of hot air balloons take to the sky from the grounds at Gull Meadow Farms in Richland Township.

The event kicked off around 7 p.m. on Friday night as pilots prepared their balloons and launched.

Hundreds gathered to watch the balloons, enjoyed fair-like concessions and played on the playground just past where the balloons took off.

Among the children playing was Willow Hutchens, 7, of Kalamazoo.

She stood atop a tire castle, entranced by the balloons that glowed in the night, as her siblings played next to her.

Tim Hutchens, 38, takes his children to the fest most years.

The balloons are great to see, but the atmosphere on the farm makes the experience, ac

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