Balloon pilot reported a loss of vertical control while attempting to land which resulted in colliding with a light pole. The pilot took evasive action and landed safely with minor damage and no injuries.

Narrative

Around about XA00 on Day 0; I was flying solo in my hot air balloon on an approach to throw a baggie at the target 'X' (scoring area) in the grass yard before a parking lot with light poles down wind. We were given permission to land past the scoring area at the pilot briefing earlier in the morning. I was at a descent around 20 ft. above the ground and I burned to level off. The wind speed was about 5 MPH heading to the West. I then threw my baggie at the competition target and made the decision to land in the parking lot. I was heading towards the parking lot and was going to be in-between the 2 light poles. I was venting to land and the balloon was not reacting and coming down as fast as I thought it would; due to burning and adding heat before over the competition target. As I got closer to the parking lot my direction changed and I was not able to land in the parking lot due to the light pole coming up. I made the decision to then start adding heat and climb to try and avoid collision with the light pole but I got close and I collided with the light pole. My scoop on the envelope and the crown line snagged the light pole and the velcro broke loose on my scoop and the crown line went underneath the light fixture. The burners were still on when I made collision with the light pole and I did burn the fabric at the mouth of the balloon about 2 panels. The scoop ripped and got burned also. I had added so much heat the crown line and envelope lifted the fixture up off of the top of the pole causing one of three lights to fall off and fall to the ground and the fixture and 2 lights stayed snagged on the crown line. I yelled down to make sure everyone was alright on the ground and they all yelled back up saying yes; we are all okay! I yelled I was okay and my main focus now was to fly my balloon; find the closest landing spot and get the light fixture in the basket so that way it did not fall and hurt someone on the ground. I was able to get most of the light fixture into the basket and I had to use my leg to hold onto it that way it still did not fall. At this point due to the heat I added to go up; I was at about 600 ft. above the ground and I used my vent to let heat out and come down to the surface and tree tops to find a landing spot. I came down to the tree tops and flew about 5 more minutes before I was able to find a safe suitable landing site. I made final approach and had safe landing in a field. My ground handling team and the safety officer of the event arrived to assess the situation. We then laid the balloon over and determined there was nonstructural minor damage to the aircraft and we packed it up into the storage bag. The competition director came to the landing spot to make sure I was okay and assess the situation also. After everything was packed up; the light fixture was returned to the church and I talked to the pastor; and he was glad everyone was okay. I believe the pilots should not have been given permission to land at the target area because we then would not be trying to land with obstacles downwind as in the light poles. After personally assessing the situation; I learned to stay above downwind obstacles and determine my closing rate with obstacles.