One of the hot air balloons stands at attention at the Glow on the O Festival in Vienna, Saturday evening. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

VIENNA — Families filled the banks of the Ohio River on Saturday evening for Friends of Vienna’s annual Glow on the O Festival, held at Spencer’s Landing, an event combining live entertainment, local vendors, and the long-awaited tethered hot air balloon rides that lit up the night sky – when the winds allowed.

Amanda Mott, treasurer for Friends of Vienna, said this year’s event expanded to include more family-friendly options.

“This year we did kids’ games, and we’re doing a tether balloon ride, which is huge,” Mott said. “Unfortunately, because of the wind, we’ve had to delay take-off for that. We’re hoping the wind calms down so we don’t have to dash anybody’s hopes.”

The Glow on the O serves as a companion event to Vienna’s summer Freedom Festival. According to Mott, proceeds from the Freedom Festival help fund this fall gathering, allowing the group to offer a free community celebration.

“The only things people have to pay for are a balloon ride or a visit to a food truck,” she said. “The rest of the event is completely free.”

The crew from Indianapolis-based Midwest Balloon Rides prepares their hot air balloon for rides at Saturday evening’s Glow on the O Festival in Vienna. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

The Friends of Vienna’s mission is to foster community connection and pride through shared experiences, Mott said.

“I’m just so excited to see everybody out together, enjoying time as a community, meeting new people, and just bringing us together,” she said.

Among this year’s highlights was the accessible hot air balloon provided by Midwest Balloon Rides, a company based in Indianapolis. Pilot Tony Sandlin said his specially designed basket allows wheelchair access – one of the few of its kind in the country.

“This basket actually can take wheelchairs, so someone can sit right inside and see out,” Sandlin said. “It’s great for kids and for people who might not otherwise get to do something like this.”

While the high winds delayed launch times, Sandlin said the team remained optimistic.

Owen Whited prepares to toss a toy axe at a target in the kids’ inflatable zone during the Glow on the O Festival in Vienna on Saturday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

“We’ll go about 40 or 50 feet up, but since we’re over the water it looks pretty cool,” he said. “Most people say, ‘That’s off my bucket list.’ It’s just getting people up for something they’ve never done before.”

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.

Dozens of attendees to Vienna’s Glow on the O Festival line up to purchase tickets for hot air balloon rides. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Hundreds of attendees awaited the hot air balloon show during Friends of Vienna’s Glow on the O Festival Saturday evening at Spencer’s Landing. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

A hot air balloon takes attendees up for a tethered ride at the Glow on the O Festival in Vienna on Saturday. (Photo Provided)