We hesitate to say anything too loudly about this weekend’s weather forecast for fear of jinxing Natchez’s biggest weekend of the year.

Instead, we ask you to read this in your best internal whisper — the weather looks really promising for this weekend’s Great Mississippi River Balloon Race.

The annual balloon race brings thousands and thousands of visitors to our area for fun and entertainment.

Since the festival offers all sorts of attractions — from the hot-air balloons themselves to the music festival to the carnival rides and the festival food — usually something exists to provide entertainment even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

But this weekend looks pretty good, weather wise.

Last year’s race disappointed many balloon fans who were looking forward to seeing the colorful balloons filling the morning and afternoon skies. High winds aloft made flying too dangerous.

We hope and pray the balloonists can safely take to the skies at least a few times this weekend, but we also know that safety comes first.

As the balloon race begins to get going this morning with a planned media flight and then later in the evening with the beautiful balloon glow, we urge residents to support the race that provides so much back into the economy.

And while we whisper quietly about the forecast of good weather, we shout a big “thank you” to all of the volunteers and sponsors who make the balloon race lift off each and every year. They make it look easy, but we know the work is difficult.

Thank you all.