HUGHESVILLE - All eyes were gazing skyward Saturday as the Misty Blues, the only all-female sky-diving team in the world, descended from the air to the Lycoming County Fairgrounds.
For Cindy Irish and Aleth Matrone it was just another routine jump, despite the breezy conditions.
"You just compensate," said Irish, when asked if brisk winds made her descent difficult at the Lycoming County Rotary Clubs Festival.
Matrone said she's been jumping for a long time, so what's the big deal?
"I made my first jump 30 years ago," she added.
The two women could be seen walking the fairgrounds, posing for pictures and talking to onlookers following their jumps.
Among the patrons was Joe Brennan, of Girardsville.
"It was wonderful," he said of the sky-diving event, which included the unfurling of an American flag.
Brennan said he came to the festival with his family specifically to see the skydiver team and the balloons.
"I am really enjoying the airplanes," said his wife, Helenann.
Helenann was talking about Team RV, described as the world's largest precision airshow team.
The planes couldn't be missed.
Flying in formations and performing stunts, the planes offered yet another reason for people to turn out for the festival.
But there was much more to the event.
People could take early morning or late afternoon balloon rides too.
Vendors hawked food, jewelry and other items from booths.
Cliff Davis, of Keifer's Kettle Korn, Griswold, Conn., was handing out free food samples to customers who stopped by the booth.
"This is our first time here," he said.
He said the festival didn't draw the sort of crowds that he's used to, but that was okay.
"We knew it wasn't a huge event," he said.
Rodney and Tina Barto have gone to the festival every year since it's been held in Hughesville.
And why not?
They live very close to the fairgrounds.
Tina said she especially likes to watch the balloons take flight over the borough.
"I've always enjoyed the air show," Rodney said. "I like the ATV's and the car show."
He said the fairgrounds is a good venue for the festival.
Kevin Eckert, of Williamsport, said he was impressed by the sky-diving team.
"I like it all," added his wife, Cheryl.
Eckert said he had a special interest in the planes that make up Team RV, given that he is employed by Lycoming Engines.
The Williamsport company, he noted, manufactured the engines for the planes.
Dressed as a clown, Mike Bieber was at the fairgrounds to entertain the many children who showed up for the festival.
"You can have fun and nobody knows who you are," he laughed.
