During Meadville's bicentennial celebrations in 1988, organizers wanted to bring to light the tradition of ballooning from the late 1800s and early 1900s started by the Thurston family of balloonists.
The committee formed a sub-committee to bring a special balloon festival to the city that year. One of the members of that committee was Meadville lawyer Ted Watts. Watts and other committee members then took it a step further, Watts got his own balloon and the committee made it an annual event. 34 years later, sans two pandemic cancelled years, the festival is still going celebrating its 32nd event.
2022 marks the first Classic without Watts who died in 2020 from complications associated with COVID. Last year a memorial tribute flight was scheduled, but due to the lingering pandemic, a full Thurston Classic was not scheduled.
The Night Glow has been named after one of the long-time organizers Joyce Stevens who passed away in 2017.
At the end of the glow a special and moving remembrance for Watts was also held - a 21 burn salute, where the pilots ignited their burners no longer underneath the balloon. Watts old balloon, the Legal Eagle stood alone in the field inflated but did not light its burner.
The committee formed a sub-committee to bring a special balloon festival to the city that year. One of the members of that committee was Meadville lawyer Ted Watts. Watts and other committee members then took it a step further, Watts got his own balloon and the committee made it an annual event. 34 years later, sans two pandemic cancelled years, the festival is still going celebrating its 32nd event.
2022 marks the first Classic without Watts who died in 2020 from complications associated with COVID. Last year a memorial tribute flight was scheduled, but due to the lingering pandemic, a full Thurston Classic was not scheduled.
The Night Glow has been named after one of the long-time organizers Joyce Stevens who passed away in 2017.
At the end of the glow a special and moving remembrance for Watts was also held - a 21 burn salute, where the pilots ignited their burners no longer underneath the balloon. Watts old balloon, the Legal Eagle stood alone in the field inflated but did not light its burner.
It was a surprise to Ted Watts Jr. who is helping to see the Classic continue.
 | Folks familiar with the Thurston Classic and Watts' years of local ballooning recognize the iconic yellow balloon adorned with the eagle in flight which is now owned by Ray Hinchcliff of Canton, Ohio. Watts is no longer here, but his presence is still felt. |
The night glow always kicks off the weekend event. Friday, though a beautiful night in Meadville was just too windy for safe ballooning so the flight had to be cancelled. The next scheduled flight is Saturday morning with the balloonists, weather permitting, flying over Robertson Field at Allegheny College to drop a beanbag on a target.
It is a standard test of piloting ability and luck of the gust (ie which way the wind blows.)
It is a standard test of piloting ability and luck of the gust (ie which way the wind blows.)
This year's event features a nearly double-sized special balloon called Neptuno. The 130 foot tall balloon is a stylized sea horse. Each year the committee tries to bring in a unique special balloon.
Another lift off is scheduled for Saturday night from Robertson Field around 6 p.m. There is music and food trucks at the event
The Classic will conclude with an early morning Father's Day flight into Robertson Field for a second target drop. If the flight goes off it will be a nice Father's Day gift from young Ted to his dad.
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