Food Vendors
Balloon: Papa’s Joy
Pilot: Ed DeVore
Ed from Covington, IN—is a passionate hot air balloon pilot and a Manufacturing Engineer for GE Aerospace. With 6 years of ballooning experience, Ed flies the stunning Papa’s Joy, a 90,000 cubic foot balloon featuring a vibrant spiral design.
Ed is a Private-rated pilot who loves exploring new areas, though Vermilion County, IL, holds a special place in his heart. He treasures home events in Danville and Terre Haute, as well as the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF).
One of the highlights of ballooning for Ed is the amazing people he meets—whether it's fellow pilots, crew, or the public. Seeing the joy and awe on faces as they watch the beautiful balloons is what makes every event worth it. Plus, participating in Terre Haute is extra special, as he often gets to involve his GE colleagues in the crew, adding a unique touch to the experience.
Dean, a commercial hot air balloon pilot from Danville, Illinois, began flying in 1997 and earned his commercial certificate in 1998. With nearly 1,000 flight hours, Dean is an experienced pilot.
He and his son Ryan have developed Cazooee.com for crew training and LTAweather.com for balloonist-specific weather information. Dean had the privilege of flying astronaut James Lovell, Jr., in 2001, who even piloted the balloon briefly.
Dean served as a director and President of the Balloon Federation of America and has been an instructor at various safety seminars. He also writes for BALLOONING: The Journal of the Balloon Federation of America. Outside of ballooning, Dean manages commercial real estate for Heritage Development Services.
Balloon: WAGZ
Pilot: Dean Carlton
Meet Chad Kerns from Lincoln, IL—a dedicated hot air balloon pilot with 9 years of experience. Chad soars with his vibrant N-Debt balloon, a 77X Racer in striking purple, yellow, orange, and red.
Chad’s favorite places to fly include Indianola, IA, Danville, IL, and Lake Shelbyville, IL, always seeking new adventures wherever he can. He loves participating in events like the National Balloon Classic and Balloons Over Vermillion.
Chad's advice for balloon enthusiasts: feel free to lend a hand after landings! Most pilots enjoy the extra hands when packing everything up. And remember, a bumpy landing is just falling with style. With a passion for discovering new flight locations and flying year-round, Chad’s enthusiasm keeps his skies full of excitement.
Balloon: N-Debt
Pilot: Chad Kerns
Balloon: OLE
Pilot: John Hitron
Introducing John Hitron, a seasoned commercial hot air balloon pilot from Louisville, KY. With 46 years of ballooning experience, John flies the vibrant OLE, a multi-colored offset balloon.
John is also a proud recipient of the Ed Yost Master Pilot Award and is passing his passion for ballooning to the next generation by training his daughter to pilot balloons.
Thank you for being a part of our festival—we look forward to seeing you and OLE in the skies!
Andrew is a commercial hot air balloon pilot from Indianapolis, Indiana, who is thrilled to return to this year’s festival! Andrew, along with his incredible wife and crew chief Victoria, are excited to bring Ellie the Elephant back this year. Ellie is a balloon that brings a lot of joy to families with her fun, playful presence.
For Andrew, hot air ballooning offers the perfect mix of peacefulness and adventure. It’s not just about the breathtaking views but also the unique camaraderie and thrilling celebrations that make ballooning so special. Every flight and event is a cherished experience for him and Victoria, blending relaxation with excitement as they explore the world from above.
Balloon: Ellie the Elephant
Pilot: Andrew Brindley
Meet Jack Semler from Westfield, IN—a seasoned balloon pilot with nearly 20 years of experience and over 40 years in aviation. Jack, who also flies for an international cargo airline out of Memphis, TN, pilots the elegant Silver Lining.
Jack’s favorite part of ballooning is traveling across the country to small towns and engaging with the local communities. He loves the opportunity to connect with people and share the joy of ballooning wherever he goes.
Balloon: Silver Lining
Pilot: Jack Semler