Dozens of hot air balloons covered the sky Friday and Saturday evening as hundreds of people were there to watch.

The balloons were part of an Ames Boys and Girls Club fund-raising event called the Summer Breeze Benefit.

Kate Sutton, Nevada resident, brought her two children, Gabrielle, 5, and William, 3, to watch the balloons launch.

“They’re waiting to see the balloons and have been playing on the blow-up toys,” Sutton said.

Gale Love, Ames resident, and his wife brought their nephew Zack Monthei, 12, from Jewell to see the balloons as well.

“Last night we could see the balloons from our house,” Love said. “[My wife and nephew] rode their bikes here tonight and are waiting to see them fly again.”

Geff Gescheidler, executive director of the club, said between 600 and 800 people attended the fund raiser last year. This year, Gescheidler said the numbers are higher.

Better weather increased the number of people attending the balloon launching this year, he said.

Gescheidler said the Boys and Girls Club has been planning this year’s benefit since last year’s.

“We were in contact with a balloonist that belongs to the Iowa Balloonists Association,” he said. “He talked to other members and we got 25 registered [balloonists] this weekend from, I believe, six states.”

Gescheidler said participating balloonists launch their balloons and attempt to maneuver them through a course. The balloonists also drop items onto targets on the ground below and compete for cash prizes, he said.

The benefit included other events as well, including a teen dance, community dinner, talent showcase and a silent auction.

Gescheidler said the fundraiser had two main purposes: to build awareness of the club and to raise money.

Last year the club raised $8,000. This year, Gescheidler said they reached their goal of raising between $10,000 and $15,000.