Disappointed faces filled the Southern Illinois Airport after the cancellation of the final balloon launch at the Cascade of Colors Sunday.

At 6 p.m., Glen Moyer, announcer for Balloon Tours of America, said the balloon launch was officially cancelled.

Several balloons were launched after the cancellation, but did not fly competitivly, Southern Illinois Airport Control Tower officials said.

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Balloonist Ardy Lefler from Overlandpark, Kan., said she was disappointed because she wanted to fly.

It was still a good weekend, she said. Cancellations go along with the sport.

Winds surpassed the safety limit of 10 mph at times reaching 14 mph and the competition, originally scheduled for 4:30 p.m., was forced into a holding pattern.

Balloonist Pat Brennan from Middleton, Ohio tested the winds before the final launch.

We use computer calculations to figure out how fast the wind is going and in what direction, he said.

Joe Ritchie, a former forestry student from Centralia, relaxed and played football in the grass field while waiting to put his hot air balloon into the air.

We might head over to the bumper cars in a little bit, he said.

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People gathered at the beer tent during the delay. Greg Wilson, a visitor from Chicago, said seeing the different balloons is worth the wait.

We saw the Balloon Glow last night, he said. It was cool. You don’t see those kinds of things in Chicago.

Moyer said at 4:30 p.m. the winds were gusting from 8-11 mph on the high end and said no one flies after the wind factor passes 10 mph.

We’re hoping for a launch today, he said.

Parents such as David Walls, from Carbondale, sat near the landing area or hung out at the funnel cake stand. Walls said the festival was more enjoyable than the preceding year because of the different location and added rides and vendors.

I’m actually ready to go, but I’m waiting for my little girls, he said. They want to wait it out.

The festival was sponsored by Remax Realty, Players Casino in Metropolis and the Carbondale Tourist Bureau.