VIDALIA – Groups of family and friends gathered on the Vidalia riverfront Friday to view a balloon glow and fireworks show held as part of the 15th annual Great Mississippi River Balloon Race.

Small children pointed, their eyes and mouths wide with wonder, as first one, then several of the hot-air balloons featured in this weekend’s races lit up the night with the glow from their propane burners.

&uot;This is mainly for my grandchildren — and they love it,&uot;&160;said Kathy Mays of Ferriday. She was accompanied by her daughter, Denitra, and grandsons Devin, 3, and T.J., 2. &uot;But I&160;try to come to this every year.&uot;

Several of the balloons — which, in this case, were tethered firmly to the ground — were located on the riverfront in Vidalia. Others were located near the Ramada Hilltop and on the grounds of Rosalie, where this weekend’s balloon festival will be held.

Hundreds of spectators stood on top of the Mississippi River levee and on the riverfront walkway below as well as at the Ramada Hilltop, the Natchez Visitors Reception Center and other vantage points to get a good view.

Those spectators included some out-of-town guests as well as Miss-Lou residents.

&uot;My family’s originally from here, but this is my first time coming to the balloon races,&uot;&160;said Allen Poole, hoisting daughter Molly, 4, on his shoulders to get a better view of the balloons.

&uot;They love to watch the balloons glow,&uot; he said, adding that his family plans to stay in the area all weekend for the race and related activities.

Like Poole, most others said they plan to attend as many balloon race-related activities as possible this weekend. &uot;We’ll probably go tomorrow afternoon at 4 or 4:30 to see the balloons lift off, too,&uot; said Diana Stanley of Ridgecrest, who was accompanied to the balloon glow event by her husband, Jason, and daughter Brittany, 2.

Nearby, Brittany pointed from her stroller toward the balloons, which were being deflated by their crews and stored away for the next day.

But that was not the last event of the evening. A fireworks show was also held immediately following the balloon glow.