Photos: Gallery | Colorado Springs Gazette, News

2013 Balloon Classic

Highlights from the 37th annual event in Memorial Park over Labor Day weekend.

Balloons float over Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Balloons float over Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Spectators watch as a sunshine balloon launches over the crowd Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Spectators watch as a sunshine balloon launches over the crowd Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

balloons float over Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — balloons float over Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon launches with Pikes Peak in the background Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon launches with Pikes Peak in the background Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A crew fills the envelope of a balloon as they prepare to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A crew fills the envelope of a balloon as they prepare to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Balloons float though the sky Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Balloons float though the sky Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Balloons float over Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Balloons float over Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon touch-and-goes in Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon touch-and-goes in Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon floats over Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon floats over Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A small plane flies behind a group of balloons Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A small plane flies behind a group of balloons Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A solo balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A solo balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Richard Tripp, 4, watches from the shoulders of his father, Richard Tripp, as the balloon begin to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Richard Tripp, 4, watches from the shoulders of his father, Richard Tripp, as the balloon begin to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Flags hang from a balloon's guide lines Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Flags hang from a balloon's guide lines Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Spectators watch as the balloons begin to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Spectators watch as the balloons begin to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Balloons float through the cloudy sky Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Balloons float through the cloudy sky Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A crowd watches as balloons float over Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A crowd watches as balloons float over Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Balloons launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Balloons launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Balloonists prepare to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Balloonists prepare to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon floats over Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon floats over Prospect Lake Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon floats over Prospect Lake with Pikes Peak in the background Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon floats over Prospect Lake with Pikes Peak in the background Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon floats in front of Cheyenne Mountain, left, and Mount Rosa Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon floats in front of Cheyenne Mountain, left, and Mount Rosa Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A crew fills the envelope of a balloon before launching Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A crew fills the envelope of a balloon before launching Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

The Smokey Bear balloon begins to take shape Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — The Smokey Bear balloon begins to take shape Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Elora Walls, 11, takes a picture as the balloons prepare to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The young Colorado Springs photographer placed second in the event's photo contest a couple years ago. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Elora Walls, 11, takes a picture as the balloons prepare to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The young Colorado Springs photographer placed second in the event's photo contest a couple years ago. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — A balloon launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Spectators walk through the maze of balloons as they begin to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Spectators walk through the maze of balloons as they begin to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Elora Walls, 11, reaches for a star on a balloon while taking pictures Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The young Colorado Springs photographer placed second in the event's photo contest a couple years ago. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Elora Walls, 11, reaches for a star on a balloon while taking pictures Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The young Colorado Springs photographer placed second in the event's photo contest a couple years ago. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

The sun rises through the clouds as balloons float Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — The sun rises through the clouds as balloons float Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Photographers take pictures of the Smokey Bear balloon as it launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Photographers take pictures of the Smokey Bear balloon as it launches Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Balloonists wave to the crowd as they launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Balloonists wave to the crowd as they launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

Balloonists prepare to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock) — Balloonists prepare to launch Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, during the first day of the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic at Memorial Park. The event runs through Monday morning. The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK

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