Hot air balloon seen in Winston Salem

Summary

An observer in Winston Salem, North Carolina, reported in 1967 the sighting of a round object with blue, orange, and red colors. The object moved slowly in a straight line with jerking motions and made no noise. The observation lasted 40 minutes and initially seemed unusual. The description matched that of a hot air balloon, leading investigators to conclude it was one.

The official report noted that students from Wake Forest College had released plastic clothing bags with candles at the bottom to generate heat and make them float. This case is a classic example of how the mundane can be misinterpreted as mysterious, especially when context is lacking. The lack of noise and colorful appearance contributed to the initial confusion.