byterian Church. He was a son of the late Charles and Rose Houchins Meredith and husband of the late Dorothy Bryant Meredith.

Can you fall out of it?That was 6-year-old Nathen Davis big question before he decided he could live with the idea of riding in a tethered hot air balloon at the ninth annual Firstar Balloon Classic. His mom, Velma Hogan of Park City, said the balloon ride is the main reason she and her husband Keith Hogan had brought Nathen and 4-year-old other son, Justin Davis, to the event. At the mention of it, Nathen got cold feet, a little like he and his brother did after they climbed to the top an inflated sinking ship among the carnival rides and then didnt want to slide to the bottom. But their faces said theyd changed their minds by the end of it. It was fun! they both said. The rides were among several activities available to pass the afternoon until time for the balloon glow and tethered balloon rides. Parker Blann, 3, alternated between playing with his 6-month-old sister Sara and checking out a variety of other interests. He had already taken on a couple of the carnival rides and a pony ride before stopping to create spin art at one of the tents. The duos mom, Shirley Blann of Bowling Green, watched as he put every color of the rainbow and a little silver glitter on the spinning 5-by-7 card. This is Parkers first carnival, she said. Were excited. He said he wanted to take a balloon ride, but not until after a few more carnival rides. Tiffany Jackson, 13, had been on a balloon ride before and was ready to go again, but the rest of her family wasnt so sure. Ive never ridden in one. I might take a ride in one I dont know. It would be something different, her grandfather, Wilburn Jackson of Woodburn, said. His smaller grandchildren, ages 5 and 6, were also hesitant, but they said if he would ride, they would. His wife, Nancy, hadnt decided either. I have to wait and look and see, she said. We came primarily to see the balloons. We thought wed walk around with (the grandchildren) to see if there are any rides they want to ride. Both Wilburn Jackson and Tiffany like the family-friendly nature of the event. I think its pretty cool, Tiffany said. Joe Bruner of Fairview, Tenn., thinks its so cool hes bought his own balloon more than two years ago. After I took the first ride, I was hooked, he said. His wife, Audrey, said she took that same ride, but I wasnt hooked. She said she doesnt mind riding, but she cant be in two places at once and he needs someone on the ground to meet him when he lands. We only go one way and thats with the wind. We dont come back, Joe Bruner said. You have to have a chase crew. Their dark blue balloon with a gold circle around the middle is one of about 60 that are part of the two-day event, which continues from 5 a.m. to after 9 p.m. Saturday at the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport. To attend, use the Lovers Lane entrance.