NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — A new attraction due to open in Niagara Falls on Friday promises to take tourists to new heights.
What's being billed as the world's largest, tethered, helium balloon was inflated for the first time on Wednesday at the site of the former Rainbow Air helipad at Main and First Streets and drew a steady stream of onlookers.
"Everyone will notice this for ten miles," said Tom Sukmanowski, General Manager of Live On Air Fallsview Balloon Ride.
A large gondola attached to the balloon will be able to take nearly two dozen tourists at a time aloft, according to Sukmankowski, where they will reach heights of up to 500 feet (roughly the height of the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls, Ontario) in order to see the Falls.
"Its an absolutely gorgeous view," he said.
The balloon will also operate at night giving tourists a different sort of view.
"We have different spotlights that will shine up on the balloon and it's an absolutely gorgeous balloon at night," he said, while noting that the final ride at 10 p.m. will be at the same time as fireworks shows.
A group from the French company that manufactured the balloon was in town for the final set up and testing of the balloon, which Sukmankowski said was specifically designed for weather conditions at its launch point.
"It is also very weather dependent," he said. "There will be times when we cannot operate due to wind velocity. Rain and snowfall might also impact our ability to ride."
The trip aloft will last approximately 15 minutes and cost $5 for passengers ages 3 to 10, and $50 for ages over that. Children 2 and under are free.
There was another tethered balloon attraction here several years ago, located near Old Falls Street, which went out of business in the early 2000s.
"Niagara Falls needs more awesome things for tourists," Sukmankowski said, "and so we're so excited to get started and to help give guests a different experience here and to be part of bringing more people here."