Solar Eclipse, Happy Newlyweds, RE/MAX Balloon: The Makings of an Unforgettable Day

For some, Monday truly was a “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” During the April 8 total solar eclipse – a phenomenon that took North America by storm – more than 100 couples in Russellville, Arkansas, participated in a mass outdoor wedding ceremony and said “I do” moments before the sky went dark.

Russellville is situated along the 2024 eclipse’s path of totality, meaning it experienced a full solar eclipse.

The event, dubbed “Elope at the Eclipse,” was part of the town’s eclipse viewing festival, where people traveled from far and wide to enjoy live music, games, a presentation from NASA, and rides in a hot air balloon.

But not just any hot air balloon.

The iconic RE/MAX hot air balloon was onsite and ready to fly, with regional pilot Joel Sturdevant at the helm. Before and after the newly married couples tied the knot, many rejoiced with a scenic tethered ride in the iconic basket-clad aircraft.

The unique event garnered attention on a national scale. The RE/MAX balloon was the backdrop for the Good Morning America show’s live broadcast, and it also appeared in coverage from outlets like the New York Post, ABC News, a local FOX News station, and more.

RE/MAX has the world’s largest corporate fleet of hot air balloons, with more than 100 around the globe. Throughout the year, RE/MAX affiliates bring the balloon to their communities for various events. A few examples include an agent in New York who took the balloon to a local elementary school for an interactive lesson on hot air balloon science, and a pair of Broker/Owners in Ohio who organized tethered hot air balloon rides for members of a local elderly care facility.

Curious what it’s like to ride in the RE/MAX hot air balloon? Read up on the RE/MAX social media team’s reporting of the RE/MAX balloon’s untethered flights – thousands of feet in the air – during the famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico.

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