The third day was the lucky charm for hot-air balloonists in Colorado Springs and thousands of onlookers in the early hours of Monday.
After being grounded on Saturday morning due to weather conditions and attaining just a partial lift-off of some balloons shortly after dawn on Sunday, a sea of 68 colorful balloons ascended on the final run of the three-day, annual Labor Day Lift Off at Memorial Park.
"We've always got a good crowd here at this event, but today the park is full," said announcer Art Lloyd Jr.
Poor weather also canceled Saturday's traditional Balloon Glow, when balloons are lighted from within as night falls and create a magical-looking glow. But the event did happen Sunday night.
Some attendees on Monday morning walked from a parking space a mile or more away to reach t