Old Calgary stuff you miss...(The Nostalgia thread)

[dirk diggler]

still love the old Esso Plaza movie theatres back in the day, saw so many shows there as they were cheap. liked the small theatres. no frills.

[Barnet Flame]

The wading pool at Riley Park is one of my earliest memories. Our first house was on 11a Street.

[Jiri Hrdina]

I have an early foggy memory of some kid stealing rubber floating thingy at Riley Park.
What a dick.

[Sliver]

Not sure what Riley Park is like now, but I went there with some friends and our kids about 10 years ago. What a fataing disgusting cesspool. Waterbugs and white trash everywhere. Penned in like sardines. Ewww. It was so northwest. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Not sure what Riley Park is like now, but I went there with some friends and our kids about 10 years ago. What a fataing disgusting cesspool. Waterbugs and white trash everywhere. Penned in like sardines. Ewww. It was so northwest. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

I guess it must have changed a little since 1975.

I loved that park.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Dynamic

3) Rubber Duck Floating race??? I remember a day where all these little rubber ducks were released in the river for some kind of contest. I am assuming if your duck won the race you got some money

3) Hot Air Balloons.....Another odd memory. I remember a certain day where there was all kinds of hot air balloons in the sky.

Both of those bring back some memories. The duck races was a pretty cool idea that I assume must have been an environmental nightmare for the river.

Hot air balloons seemed like they were always around. I worked with a lady a decade ago who had her trip rebooked multiple times over multiple years due to weather conditions, so I assume something changed drastically on the safety/regulation front there.

[transplant99]

IIRC Calgary is one of the best hot air balloon launch/travel areas in the world because of climate/wind/terrain etc.

At times there were dozens launching every morning.

I think the economics and regulations collided which pretty much killed the industry as anything more than a luxury that took affordability away from most as anything more than a one time thing.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

I guess it must have changed a little since 1975.

I loved that park.

I often see fellas informally playing Cricket in that park too -- an Englishman would probably appreciate that more than I, and most Canadians.

[Ozy_Flame]

Used to go underage drinking in Riley Park on Friday nights. Oh, the parties that were there - at the peak, well over 100 random teenagers from various schools. Getting chased out by the cops too and booking it up the hill or disappear into Sunnyside - classic late 90's Calgary kids

[getbak]

Originally Posted by transplant99

IIRC Calgary is one of the best hot air balloon launch/travel areas in the world because of climate/wind/terrain etc.

At times there were dozens launching every morning.

I think the economics and regulations collided which pretty much killed the industry as anything more than a luxury that took affordability away from most as anything more than a one time thing.

This happened: https://www.efootage.com/videos/5225...rash-in-canada

[jayswin]

^^^^^^

I don't think that's it, getbak. That was '89, they used to dominate the skyline regularly in the 90's.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by transplant99

IIRC Calgary is one of the best hot air balloon launch/travel areas in the world because of climate/wind/terrain etc.

At times there were dozens launching every morning.

I think the economics and regulations collided which pretty much killed the industry as anything more than a luxury that took affordability away from most as anything more than a one time thing.

I blame the DQ ice cream balloon for the demise of ballooning in Calgary - which constantly seemed to be running into power wires and catching on fire.

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by transplant99

IIRC Calgary is one of the best hot air balloon launch/travel areas in the world because of climate/wind/terrain etc.

At times there were dozens launching every morning.

I think the economics and regulations collided which pretty much killed the industry as anything more than a luxury that took affordability away from most as anything more than a one time thing.

As commercial air traffic increased, I suspect it became too difficult to manage.

"Sorry we'll just need to close arrivals/departures while a few beautiful balloons drift through"

I'm sure even back in the day the terminal area controllers didn't enjoy it too much. Like trying to merge your Rascal on the autobahn.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I often see fellas informally playing Cricket in that park too -- an Englishman would probably appreciate that more than I, and most Canadians.

Ugh, I live in England, but I’m 0% English.

[browna]

Besides balloons lifting off the infield (grass area)of the grandstand most evenings in the mid 80s, before the Chucks, there was hot air balloon races out of High river over the course of a week each summer iirc.

[Lubicon]

Are balloons really no longer a thing? I distinctly remember seeing them many morning's on my way to work and that seems like only a couple of years ago at most.

[Buzzard]

They're definitely around still. I see one or two every once in a while. Certainly not like in the 80's-90's though when most calm mornings you'd see up to a dozen or so regularly.

[Maccalus]

I could be wrong, but didn't the change in flight paths from the new runway opening put an end to the routes balloons used over the city?

Ballooning still definitely takes place, but it is outside the city now.

[Iggy_12]

Balloons are still a thing, they advertise on the fan960 but i rarely see them anymore

[Robbob]

High River does or has a air balloon festival I think late summer. Completely randomly came upon it one day just driving back from highway 40 one time. Looked like a scene from Red Dawn from a distance with all the balloons in the sky.