NATCHEZ — Pilots were able to ascend into the heavens one last time Sunday evening to wrap up the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race.

Unlike last year, when pilots were unable to fly because of poor weather conditions, most race events flew as scheduled Friday through Sunday.

However, despite picture perfect weather, the Saturday evening and Sunday morning flights left pilots grounded because of strong winds.

Race director Curtis Moroney predicted winds would calm down Sunday evening, giving pilots one last chance to gaze upon the Miss-Lou in mid-air.

Balloonmeister Bill Cunningham was the first to lift off from the festival site Sunday, while other pilots followed soon after.

According to Moroney, the wind Sunday evening was going south.

“It’s been a beautiful weekend,” Moroney said. “It’s a shame that it was windy Saturday afternoon, it’s exactly what happened to us last year.”

Moroney said the Saturday evening flight and the Sunday morning flight would have been great, but the winds were too much.

“As it got later Saturday, the wind direction changed and shifted further south, which would have blown pilots straight down the river,” Moroney said. “Pilots need a safe place to land.”

As Cunningham set up to take flight, he said nothing in particular was going through his mind.

“It turned out to be a pretty good weekend,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham said that he and officials were pleased with the turnout of the race, but it would have been nice to fly Saturday evening.

“We had the biggest crowd at the Natchez Mall Saturday, that’s the most important one,” Cunningham said.

The weekend overall, Cunningham said, turned out to be one to remember.

“It’s really become a chance to get together with friends and do something you love,” Cunningham said.