The balloons fly or don't fly depending on the weather. Plan for several days of no flying. Get on a chase crew. Half of the fun is the night glows and fireworks. It is best to be camped at the field rather than dealing with the insane traffic. Get on a chase crew. The camping is rally style so you won't be putting out the rug and chairs. You might barely have room to get the slides out. Get on a chase crew. The balloons start with a dawn patrol and a pilot's meeting every morning. This happens in the dark and it is very cold too. Not just anyone can observe this. Get on a chase crew. Once the sun comes up, there is nothing like watching 600 balloons inflate around you and launch in waves.
If I haven't mentioned it already, being on a chase crew and racing around the city in the back of a truck or van trying to arrive at the balloon's touchdown point to secure the gondola and envelope is really exciting too.
