University of Arizona - Desert Yearbook (Tucson, AZ)

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rOQTHIllSMALi The crew and pilot of the pink elephant bal- lon, sponsored by The Foothills Mall, pa- tiently await for their chance to lift off. The crew helped set up the balloon and were also responsible for chasing it down after it took off. All of the crew are vol- unteers and anyone who wants to can be on a crew. Photo by BRIAN WILSON Up and Away The 7th Annual Tucson Balloon Festival was held in February. It was expanded to three days this year with the addition of the Friday Night Balloon Glow. The balloon glow consisted of all the pilots and crews setting up their balloons and keeping them tethered to the ground as they hit the burners, lighting up the balloons in a n agnificent display. The festival continued on Saturday and Sunday mornings with balloons taking off as well as sky- divers and biplanes performing acts. The festival was attended by people from all over. It gave them a chance to relax as they watched the many differ- ent balloons launch into the air. Booths were scattered around the launch field and the crowd could eat and shop for souvenirs as they watched. The festival is attended by pilots from all over the country who bring their balloons to participate in the festival. Balloons came from Cedar Crest, New Mexico to Pocatello, Idaho. There were even some balloons from Canada in the Festival. Balloons have recently broken away from tradi- tional form and now resemble pink elephants, peanuts, champagne bottles, and even penguins. The fad to have odd shaped balloons started in Canada and has swiftly swept through the U.S. The event was considered enjoyable for everyone who viewed it. The Balloon Glow was Two of the balloons held this year for the light up as a spot light first time. Photo by hits them. Photo by BRICE SAMUEL BRICE SAMUEL BALLOON FESTIVAL 191

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The Budweiser bal- loon was just one of many that was spon- sored by companies. More companies now take advantage of this unique form of advertising. Photo by BRICE SAMUEL TWO SiD€S . - Ot €Ax okm Although the balloon festival seemed like a big fun production full of excitement, it did have its drawbacks. To be able to launch the balloons properly the outside air must be cool. As a result the balloon festival had to be held early in the morning. People could be seen wandering around the field at 6:00 in the morning, yawn- ing and shaking from the cold, wondering whether or not it was really worth it all. The festival did not go off without a hitch. On Saturday a slight wind poured over the field. It did not seem like a major problem but even a small wind can cause pilots to be cautious and most of the lauches were cancelled. Sunday the winds also took to the field and it was uncertain whether the balloons would be able to lauch at all. However the winds died down and the balloons were able to lauch. Added on to the hassle that Mother Nature presented was the crowds of people that had come to see the balloon festival. Cars were backed up for up to three miles at some time, and some people were probably beginning to wonder if they would ever again see the world from outside their cars. Despite these minor setbacks, the affair did get to go on. Multitudes of people came and it was eventually considered a success. 190 STUDENT LIFE Balloons at the festival came in all colors and de and at hs from the crowd The lift offs lasted for about an hour and the baSoons could be seen floating serenely over nearby mountain tops. Photo by BRIAN WIL- SON

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Zypical you itting in. Some found this almost remarkably ' easy. Being a part of the crowd was just so natural to this select few. On the average, though, many would agree that fitting in wasn ' t as easy as it sounded. Valiantly, they would try to buy all the right clothes, get the right haircut, have the right friends, and do the right thing. Was it worth it? Some said yes. Being part of the crowd was so simple. They didn ' t have to worry about being different, and therefore, being ostracized by their peers. Not only did they belong, they also had numerous friends that they found by conforming to a group with similar ideals. ' Conform? Not me! ' was the vehement reply from the opposing party. These were the people who strove to be different, to stand out from the masses. Each of these people maintained their unique individualism and were rewarded with quite a variety of friends, each as different as they them- selves were. All in all, it would appear that either way was acceptable. Fitting in had it ' s advantages, and so did nonconformity. The choice was up to the individual, for who wanted to be just a face in the crowd? ' Wendy Ursell Wendy Thorp strives to be different from the rest of the crowd. Her hairstyle reflects her unique attitude. Photo by GREG BERG Following the masses is usually the easiest thing to do when it comes to going places. It takes a courageous person to go against the flow. Photo by GREG BERG Caps, shorts, and sun- glasses remain the nec- essary equipment for any person in the in crowd. Photo by GREG BERG 192 STUDENT LIFE