Next time you see a green balloon at Disneyland, I hope you think of a little boy who has a difficult time in big crowds. That boy is autistic, and he is my son, Trey.

Balloons began inflating and preparing for launch under a green flag Thursday morning at Balloon Fiesta Park. "Dawn Patrol has launched," the fiesta's Facebook page says.

The 2023 Green Country Balloon Festival is set to take place in Broken Arrow. It has been seven years since the festival was last held. More than 20 hot air balloons will fill Events Park.