Thursday, 11 August 2011

Hot Air Balloon Festivals

Here's a round-up of spectacular hot air balloon festivals that occur annually every summer and fall. Click on the festival's Web site to collect the specific dates and more information about next event.

Hot Air Balloons Block Out the Sky in Albuquerque

The Dawn Patrol shows, America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race and the colorful Balloon Glow events in the evenings are just some of the reasons the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, held every October, is arguably the most popular balloon festival in the country. The 2010 festival is Oct. 2-10. You can read all about the annual balloon festival in Elizabeth Mitchell's lively account about her first hot air balloon ride. Many of the hotels in this New Mexico city book up a year in advance but there's usually lodging available close to the date in surrounding towns.

The Great Reno Balloon Race

Standley White, About.com's Guide to Reno and Tahoe has the Great Reno Balloon Race covered. "It's a spectacle to behold. Each morning from September 10 through 12, 2010, over 100 hot air balloons will rise in mass ascension from Rancho San Rafael Park, filling the sky with blobs of color in the dawn light." To read all about it visit Great Reno Balloon Race.

It's Target Tubing Time in Snowmass

Target tubing games, nocturnal flights and "Dawn Quixote" are among the events spectators love to watch during the annual Snowmass Balloon Festival in September.

Balloons Framed by Snow-covered Swiss Alps

Brass bands lead everyone to the take-off field for the initial rising of the balloons en mass during the annual Festival International de Ballons in Chateau-d'Oex, Switzerland, every January. (The next festival is January 23-30.) Flights during the day, nocturnal ballets of the balloons and parachute drops from the balloons are all part of the week-long party during the annual balloon festival in this city perched high in the Alps.

Where Are the Festivals

Colorful balloon festivals are held around in many locations. Visit HotAirBalloon.com for a list.


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