SAFFORD — Residents seeking some family-friendly activity for the New Year holiday have a pair of choices, thanks to the Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza.
While the balloons fly sponsors and VIPs across the sky each morning, families are invited to check out the balloons in the evening.
On Monday evening, the pilots will gather for a candlestick in the parking lot of Home Depot. A candlestick is where about 10 pilots light the burners over their baskets without a balloon overhead.
“So come out at 6 p.m., and see how much heat we can put out there,” said organizer Greg Lindsey. “It’s interesting; you get in the middle and see how long you can take it.”
The second evening event, on Tuesday starting at 5:30 p.m., is free tether rides for children at Safford Middle School. A tether ride is when the balloon is tethered to the ground and allowed to lift off a few feet in the air before returning to the ground. Later in the evening, the pilots will gather their baskets together for a candlestick super glow.
There will also be food trucks and vendors.
Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza flights take off after 7 a.m. from the lot behind Ruth Powell School Tuesday and Wednesday, weather permitting.
