JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — According to the website www.eballoon.org the first hot air balloon ride took place in France in 1783, but there were no humans on board. The first passengers to soar aloft below a huge hot bag of air were a sheep, a duck and a rooster, and the flight lasted for 25 minutes.

According to the website “The first manned attempt came about two months later on 21st November, with a balloon made by two French brothers, Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier. The balloon was launched from the centre of Paris and flew for a period of 20 minutes. The birth of hot air ballooning.”

Jump forward 230 years and the technology makes an appearance in Jeffersonville; although the weather kept most of air ships grounded. For more on the day turn to page 31.