Sometimes you just need to get out of your office, and go have some fun in your community. Today was Vehicle Day at W W Irby Elementary in the City of Alachua. I’d been asked to help set-up and take-down the RE/MAX Balloon, so I got there at 8am this morning.
Things were hopping and the school administrators where telling us all where to park and where to get set up. The City of Alachua Police Department was there with their cars & motorcycles.
Then the Florida Wildlife Commission pulled in with their AirBoat. A U.S. Military vehicle shows up and the school principal started telling all of us where to set up.
Our RE/MAX Balloon pilot arrived and we started getting the hot air balloon up before the first class came out onto the field.
Then the Shands Cair emergency helicopter arrives, and I will admit that was very cool.
Each classroom with their teacher would go to each “station” and listen to a presentation about the “VEHICLE”. It was fun, and very entertaining. Kids are so much fun.
Our balloon pilot is Richard Davenport, and he operates two RE/MAX Balloons stationed in Florida. He’s got it down to a science! He has the kids come right up to the balloon basket and look up into the balloon. Richard is great with the kids, and lets them ask their own questions too. When Richard hits the burners to add hot air to the balloon, the kids all squeal, back away, but then say “do it again”.
It was a very educational day at W W Irby Elementary!
I will even admit that I learned some pretty cool stuff too today. I had never seen our Shands Cair helicopter that close up and I even had some questions for that pilot too.
Once each class came through the event, we started taking our balloon down, and that’s when it was announced the helicopter crew would be taking off. So, I took my trusted iPhone and took video of our amazing Shands Cair Emergency Helicopter.
Ain’t that a great way to get out of the office this morning?
4011 NW 43rd Street, Suite C
