The weather in Kentucky during April and May is quite variable. Sometimes it’s sunny and warm; sometimes it snows. But you can thank Murphy’s Law for picking the worst times to bring unfavorable weather to the Ohio Valley.

As in past years, this year’s Kentucky Derby Festival had scheduled four hot air balloon events: two glows and two races, starting on Thursday night with a balloon glow at the Kroger Fest-a-ville at Waterfront Park. It has been raining earlier, but it had stopped, but right as it was time to start setting up the balloons, a band of thunderstorms rolled through and the event was cancelled.

The plan was to go across the river and photograph the balloon glow from Jeffersonville, Indiana. The skyline presented itself nicely, except for the missing balloons that should have been on the left side of the photo above.

Friday morning was the Rush Hour Race. The race was scrubbed early enough that fans found out on local TV broadcasts. Friday night’s Balloon Glow was threatened by rain, but it moved through in time for the show to happen. Unfortunately, the team from Kentucky Derby Adventures had a prior commitment.

Saturday morning, rain was no longer a threat, but low clouds and gusty winds were a concern for the L&N Federal Credit Union Great BalloonFest: Great Balloon Race®. Pilot and crew safety has to come first, and they waited to the sun started coming to realize they could not fly then either. A crowd of understanding but disappointed fans returned to their cars to head home.

Hopefully, next year, Murphy will be more cooperative.