BY BRANDY TEMPLETON

G.L. Wilson Building Company hosted a balloon launch and breakfast for its employees on Friday morning, continuing a tradition that now spans more than a decade.

The chilly weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm among spectators as the different shaped balloons took flight. 

The Statesville company has worked to support Breast Cancer Awareness for years, and incorporates that into the event by encouraging staff to wear pink.

“We’ve done this for twelve years except during the Pandemic,” Vice President of Operations Julia Wilson said. “Breast cancer impacts everybody. It’s a connector for everyone. It impacts someone’s family member or friends.”

The company’s 75 employees look forward to the event.

“The event is a way for us to annually recognize and appreciate the hard work of our employees so we have a company breakfast, Pink Out Day for breast cancer awareness, and we celebrate ballooning in Iredell County by hosting a morning launch for Carolina BalloonFest. This day is a way to share our great resources and property,” she said.

National Balloon Rally founder Bill Meadows was among those taking flight. In his lifetime, he’s had 13 balloons of his own. He said he keeps participating because of his love of the balloons.

“I’m so excited seeing the balloons,” Meadows said.

Pilot Charles Page, who took Meadows up on Friday morning, has been hooked on ballooning since he attended his first festival in 1979.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but when the sun came up, it was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen,” he said. “I love sharing it with the people. For 44 years it’s the people that make it.”

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