Photos: Rain delays Balloon Glow as Freedom Festival returns

Colin Gillund (left) helps pilot Peter Kamp (right) cover the basket of a balloon as rain begins to fall during the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Sean Beaver, owner and founder of Great American Kites, flies a kite to dry it out following a rain shower during the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Joe Beaver (left) and Emily Wearing pack up a kite as a storm moves in during the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

People shelter under umbrellas as rain falls during the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Ava Lyn, 8 mos., dances to music with the help of her grandfather Benson Williams of Cedar Rapids during the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

People fill the track and grandstand while waiting for the start of the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Families arrive on the track as rain falls during the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

People arrive as rain continues to fall for the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

A Balloon Travels Unlimited crew prepares the burner of the Linn Area Credit Union balloon during the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Balloon crews circle the track awaiting an update to the weather forecast during the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

A burner, without its balloon due to weather, glows over the track during the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Catering crews rush to prepare for a rain storm before the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Prestige Dance Studio dancers perform during the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Ethan Ondler, 10, of Cedar Rapids catches a baseball while waiting for the start of the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

People line up in the rain for concessions during the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Kites fly over the track during the annual Balloon Glow event at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Rain and lightning delayed the event, which was to feature multiple tethered hot air balloons as well as Great American Kites. The event returned this year after last year’s Freedom Festival events were largely canceled due to coronavirus concerns. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)