Hunter Wilson/Daily News Kyle Irvin (left) of Tompkinsville flips hamburgers Saturday with Matthew Staples for Poor Boys BBQ during the U.S. Bank Balloons, Tunes and BBQ at the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport.

For the second time since U.S. Bank’s Balloons, Tunes & BBQ event bounced back from its 2004 hiatus, weather played a big part.

Friday night’s balloon festivities were cut short when rain briefly poured onto event attendees.

Saturday morning’s balloon launch was canceled because of thunderstorms, event balloonist Scott McClinton said. But the morning’s Bellewood Balloon Run for kids went on as planned.

Last year, strong winds discouraged balloon flights.

Spotty showers clumped together and formed a thunderstorm Saturday night, McClinton said, about 40 minutes away from reaching Bowling Green when the balloons were supposed to go up that evening.

&#8220There is a big storm southwest of here that is crossing the Kentucky-Tennessee line,” he said at that time.

McClinton has been a balloonist for 19 years and said he said he hates to see a balloon unable to go up because of bad weather.

&#8220You have to err on the side of safety,” he said. &#8220(U.S. Bank) would never like to see anyone take a risk.”

McClinton’s office window usually has a view from 1,500 feet up, in balloons he launches in various cities nationwide for 36 weekends out of most years.

&#8220I have the greatest job in the world, flying the U.S. Bank balloon,” he said.

Balloons at Saturday’s event were blown up for about 10 minutes for children and parents to admire, and were then deflated.

Other activities included carnival rides, inflatable games and six barbecue vendors.

WGGC Country 95 and Crye-Leike Realty sponsored country singer Jason Aldean’s performance. Lindsey Lea and other singers kept feet tapping as well.

A F-4D Phantom fighter plane was on display for kids and enthusiasts to admire. The plane will be the centerpiece of Aviation Heritage Park, which will be on the corner on Three Springs Road and Smallhouse Road, when the park is completed, according to Larry Warden, president of the nonprofit organization in charge of the park.

The organization restored the plane to the exact scheme and colors as when Brig. Gen. Dan Cherry shot down a MiG fighter in combat during the Vietnam War in 1972.

You could smell the barbecue once you started walking around the airport grounds during Saturday’s festivities.

For the second consecutive year, the grand champion of the barbecue competition was Natural Born Grillers

Natural Born Grillers of South Haven, Miss., was the Memphis BBQ Association’s 2005 Team of the Year, and is in the lead in points to take this year’s title, member John Wheeler said.

&#8220Cooking it right is half the battle,” Wheeler said. &#8220After that it’s about your sauces.”

Wheeler’s team won Bowling Green’s BBQ event last year as well, but this year they offered barbecue for sale to those in attendance.

Because Natural Born Grillers has already won a place in next year’s Memphis in May competition, Q Cookers will represent U.S. Bank Balloons, organizers said.

Natural Born Grillers took first place in all three categories – shoulder, rib and whole hog – with Huish Grill Team coming in second in all three areas.

I-65 Liquors took third in whole hog and fourth in rib, and Divine Swine took third in shoulder and fourth in rib. Q Grillers took third place in the rib category.

The event continues today. For more information, contact Emily Bradford with Prime Time Events at 792-3777.

Today’s schedule

Balloons, Tunes & BBQ runs through Sunday at the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport. Admission is free.

6 a.m. – Gates open at launch site

6:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. – Target Trails balloon competition, fly-in to airport; event souvenir tent open

10 a.m. – Pilots awards ceremony