While rain canceled Friday's balloon flights, the festival in Neahwa Park continues Saturday and Sunday.
The events are part of this month's installment in the year-long celebration of the Oneonta centennial.
The forecast for the rest of the weekend is improving, said Oneonta Centennial Committee co-chairman Kevin Herrick.
The Saturday night flights will take place during the Taste of Oneonta celebration that will be held in Neawha Park from 4 to 8 p.m.
The free events include live music at the mobile stage near the pond, complementary horse-drawn wagon rides, balloon animals by Mike the Juggler and face painting. Food vendors including Brooks' House of Bar-B-Q.
The highlight for the night will be the "evening glow" when beginning at approximately 8 p.m., the ten participating balloons will be tethered and illuminated, Herrick said.
There were 50 to 75 people in Neahwa Park to watch the Friday night lift-off, before the decision was made to cancel, Herrick said.
It was determined that there was a front coming through the area bringing possible high winds and rain, said Michael Ranieri, owner of Catskill Mountain Balloon Inc. and organizer of the balloon festival.
He was optimistic that the weather would cooperate for the rest of the weekend, though fog Saturday morning could lead to a delay of morning liftoff.
Neahwa Park will be closed to thru traffic from 3 to 9 p.m. but parking is available near Damaschke Field.
The balloons are scheduled to take off at 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., weather permitting. Rides of about one hour in duration are available from several balloon pilots for $200 each. There is no charge for the Taste of Oneonta event or watching the take off.
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