Eleven helium-filled white dove-shaped balloons were released at this morning's opening of the Balloons Over Wairarapa festival to remember the victims of the Carterton balloon crash, but a tribute flight did not make it off the ground.
This morning, strong winds prevented the balloons from ascending for the second day, but
a ceremony to remember the victims went ahead. An emotional Ron Mark shouted "Get up Carterton!" as hot-air balloons were inflated in Carrington Park this morning.
"It's very poignant," the Carterton mayor said.
"Probably what some people don't realise is that it's a very hard moment the families, and also for many of us for different reasons.
"We were used to seeing Lance [Hopping] every morning, see him flying in his balloon from our window...but it's a reassuring thing to see people here from the Wairarapa having a ball, and having a good time.
"We love balloons, we love being here, and it's an absolutely spectacular sight."
Per Rold, a balloon pilot from Bleheim, said he knew Mr Hopping well and, although it had been a hard time for balloonists in the wake of the tragedy, it was good to see the festival going ahead.
"Accidents do happen, but it's just like any sport," he said.
His friend Rick Gant agreed.
"It's good to see people here - life's got to go on, doesn't it?"
Lance Hopping's daughter Hayley was planning to join relatives at this morning's ceremony of crash victims Valerie Bennett and her cousin Denise Dellabarca, and Lower Hutt couple Stephen Hopkirk and Belinda Harter .
There was a moment's silence before the 11 helium dove balloons were released around the passenger craft which remained tethered to the ground, festival flight director Martyn Stacey said.
"[It] was really beautiful because the helium doves flew around the balloons, it was very, very nice."
Wind at ground level was not strong but it was a different story at altitude, he said.
"Safety is paramount with flying conditions ... remember this is a fiesta not a national competition, so we're here to enjoy, entertain and learn."
It was hoped the balloons would be able to take off this afternoon.
