When passenger-carrying hot air balloons were first invented in France in the late 1700s, they were made from paper. The modern-day nylon incarnation didn’t come along until the early 1960s. Today, there are festivals all over the world that celebrate hot air balloons, including the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic. This annual event will be held June 4–5 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. Gates open at 4 a.m., and at 5 a.m., the Sonoma Strong Glow Show—when the balloons’ propane burners are simultaneously fired up—will illuminate the dark sky. Balloons launch at 6:30 a.m. Tethered balloon rides start at 5:30 a.m. on June 4 and 6 a.m. on June 5, and run until 10:30 a.m. both days. Food booths and kids’ activities run 4 a.m.–10:30 a.m. (Come see Family Life at our booth.) One-day tickets are $7 for ages 3–12 and $15 for ages 13 and older. Balloon rides are $10, as is parking. Each pilot decides the minimum age for balloon rides. Purchase tickets at schabc.org.