Hot air balloon pilots came from multiple states to put on a show at the Slatington Airport Oct. 30.

The inaugural “A Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Glow Festival and Trick or Treat” attracted big crowds to the small airport to enjoy about a dozen balloons glowing in the dark.

“It’s just fun for everyone to see the beautiful balloons. It’s something of a treat with everything going on. Nice to be able to do something fun,” said Emelia Bernava, a pilot who drove from southern New Jersey with her balloon to participate in the event.

A few balloon pilots offered tethered balloon rides throughout the evening, but the majority were there to stand up and glow, as pilots call it. The powerful propane-powered burners which keep the balloons inflated and in flight also provide an enjoyable light show.

“It’s always nice when you have other balloons around you,” said Bruce Byberg, a pilot from Rhode Island.

Most of the balloon pilots who displayed are commercial pilots who offer rides to the public. But they are also passionate about flying. Byberg bought his balloon before he even took a ride, and 30 years later he still loves the activity.

“It’s the greatest way to get from point A to point B if you don’t know where point B is,” Byberg said.

Each pilot has their favorite season to fly. Bernava prefers the fall foliage. And the colder it gets, the more effective the hot air becomes at keeping the balloon afloat, making for longer flights.

Another big factor is wind speed. High wind can actually be more of a challenge just standing up the balloon than it is for flying.

“When you’re up you don’t even know you’re with the wind,” Bernava said.

Because of the unpredictable nature of flying a balloon, it’s hard to crew a balloon alone. A crew chief, which is sometimes the balloon pilot’s spouse, is responsible for helping set up and storing the balloon, and retrieving the crew after they’ve landed.

Just like a plane or a vehicle, balloons are subject to regular inspections. The pilots are licensed, just like planes. In order to sell rides, balloon pilots must be commercially licensed.

While some passengers might have a little anxiety about flying, pilots say that it’s more likely that you’d suffer an accident setting up the balloon than while actually flying.

Young Josh Slaby of Lehighton took his first balloon ride during the festival on a balloon tethered to the ground. He said while he was initially unsure, the ride was worth it.

“There’s a nice view up there. It may be a little scary, but once you get up there it’s not scary,” Slaby said.