Mild temperatures should be a boon for International Balloon Festival

A summer lacking in 30-degree scorchers might not sit well with Montrealers hoping for sun, but for organizers of the 34th International Balloon Festival of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, this season’s unexpectedly mild temperatures are just about right.
Following less than ideal conditions for hot-air balloon rides last summer, the festival is expecting this year’s edition — held from Aug. 12 to 20 at 5 Chemin de l’Aéroport, about an hour from Montreal — to bes