Up, Up and Away

Written by RV Life Magazine

Sunday, 01 May 2011 00:00

Few sights are as impressive and photogenic as hot air balloons drifting across the sky. This summer and into the fall, there will be multiple opportunities to see these colorful creations lift off and sail through the air at festivals throughout the West.

Some of the best times for flights are the three hours after sunrise, and so most balloon ascensions are scheduled in the early hours of the day. At night, festivals often include a balloon glow, with burners being fired up to illuminate balloons tethered to the ground, creating a strikingly beautiful spectacle.

Hot air balloons come in all sizes, from five to 16 stories high, able to transport just one person or as many as 32. They fly best in cool weather with wind speeds less than seven knots.

Here are some places where you can see hot air balloons, and, in some cases, even hitch a ride.

Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival
June 3–5 — You can ride on a hot air balloon, picnic, sip wine and enjoy concerts at this event held at the Lake Skinner Recreation Area in Southern California’s Temecula Valley.

Balloons will be launched at 6:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Balloon glows are scheduled Friday and Saturday evenings. Balloon rides will be available, but must be reserved in advance.

More than 20 wineries will participate in a wine tasting, and there will be concerts on two stages Friday and Saturday and a freestyle motocross show on Sunday.

For information, visit tvbwf.com or call (951) 676-6713.

Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally
June 24–26 — Utah’s best hot air balloon pilots will gather at Panguitch for this 12th annual event. Mass ascensions are scheduled at 6:30 each morning. Forty balloons will be launched into the sky with a beautiful canyon backdrop behind them. Spectators are welcome to go onto the launch field to help pilots, and some might even be invited aboard.

On Saturday night, pilots will set their balloons up along Main and Center streets and the glow from the balloons will light up Panguitch’s historic district. Music will fill the air and pilots will chat with spectators. Other activities during the weekend will include skydiving, a craft fair, rides for kids, and musical entertainment.

For information, phone (435) 676-2514 or visit panguitchvalleyballoonrally.com.

Eyes to the Sky Balloon Festival
July 8–10 — Twenty hot air balloons will rise from a grassy field west of Salina, Utah, at sunrise each day of this three-day festival sponsored by Sevier County and Salina City.

Events will include a Saturday breakfast presented by the Aurora Fire Department, a bingo tournament, ATV and motorcycle poker runs, a barbecue, a concert featuring country music artist Charley Jenkins, and a hot air balloon glow.

For information, visit eyestotheskyballoon.com or call (435) 893-0458.

Sandy Hot Air Balloon Festival
Aug. 12–13 — Storm Mountain Park in Sandy, Utah, is the launch site for this festival, with balloons scheduled to rise each morning between 6:30 and 8. On Saturday evening at 8, spectators will gather for the Balloon Glow at the South Towne Promenade in front of Sandy City Hall. The balloons’ burners will be fired to illuminate the balloons while they are tethered to the ground. There will also be food and entertainment at the Balloon Glow. For information visit sandy.utah.gov/government/community-events/balloon-festival.html.

ATI Wah Chang Northwest Art & Air Festival
Aug. 26–28 — More than 40 balloons will rise above Timber-Linn Memorial Park in Albany, Oregon, at 6:45 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday during this event that draws more than 40,000 people a year.

The festival includes a juried art show and sale, a balloon night glow, and free airplane rides for children at the Albany Municipal Airport Saturday and Sunday. Seventy artists from throughout the Northwest will sell their wares, including pottery, wood and metal work, jewelry, paintings and other art.

There will also be live music on two stages, and the event will conclude with a headline concert and fireworks. For information, visit nwartandair.org.

Great Reno Balloon Race
Sept. 9–11 — Billed as the largest free hot air balloon event in the nation, this assemblage of balloons attracts about 150,000 spectators to Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, a few miles north of downtown Reno, Nevada.

Only 20 balloons particiated in the first event in 1982, but that number has grown to more than 100 in recent years. Mass ascensions will be at 6:45 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. After the ascensions, the RE/MAX balloon will provide tethered rides for children for a $5 donation to the Children’s Miracle Network. Concession stands will offer food, beverages, crafts and souvenirs. For information, visit renoballoon.com.

Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival
Sept. 22–25 — Pilots of hot air balloons will make a school visitation Thursday to begin this event that will feature a mass ascension at the Spring Creek Sports Complex near Elko, Nevada, at 6 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Balloon Glow will be held in Mountain View Park in Elko at 5 p.m. Friday. For information, visit rubymountainfestival.com.

Great Prosser Balloon Rally
Sept. 23–25 — Balloon pilots from throughout the Northwest will lift off at sunrise from Prosser Washington Airport in the town of Prosser, Washington, during the three days of this festival. Spectators are encouraged to arrive by about 6:15 a.m. to watch pilots prepare the balloons, and some spectators may even be invited to help inflate, chase and recover the balloons.

The event will include a Harvest Festival Friday, Saturday and Sunday in downtown Prosser, a farmer’s market between the library and City Park Saturday, and Night Glow, featuring illuminated balloons and entertainment, Satuday night at Art Fiker Stadium. For information, visit prosserballoonrally.org.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Oct. 1–9 — More than 600 balloons will sail through the air above New Mexico at this event that promoters say is not only the largest ballooning event in the world, but also the most photographed event on earth.

Balloon Fiesta Park encompasses 365 acres and the launch field, where spectators can mingle beside the balloons, covers 78 acres. There are mass ascensions, balloon glows, entertainment, a car show, chainsaw carving competiton and other events. For information, visit balloonfiesta.com.