With the Adirondack Balloon Festival starting soon, the students of Lake George Elementary School received a special visit from two balloonists, Peter Griswold and Patrick Cullen. Griswold and Cullen gave a captivating presentation about hot air balloons, bringing a bit of the excitement of the festival directly to the school.
Peter Griswold, originally from Syracuse and now residing in Georgia, has been a staple at the Adirondack Balloon Festival since he was just four years old. This year marks his 35th anniversary of attending the festival, making it his favorite event of the year. “We love coming to the festival and we are glad to be back for a second year at LGES. It is so exciting for us to see the students’ faces and the shock when the burner comes on. We love to share this with all the students,” Griswold shared enthusiastically.
Griswold’s passion for ballooning runs in the family. His father, a balloon pilot, taught him the ropes, and Griswold, in turn, passed on his knowledge to his younger brother. Now, as an experienced pilot, Griswold enjoys sharing the joys of ballooning with the younger generation.
During their visit to the school, Griswold and Cullen educated the students on the history of hot air balloons, how they are constructed, and the science behind how they fly. “The kids’ reactions are priceless,” Griswold remarked. “It’s wonderful to see them so curious.”
As anticipation builds for the festival’s kickoff, Griswold and Cullen’s visit has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the students, sparking imaginations and inspiring a few future balloonists.