SAFFORD — Starting Thursday, the Graham County skies will be filled with color . . . weather permitting.
The third annual Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza will get underway Thursday, at about 7 a.m., in the vacant lot between Ruth Powell and Lafe Nelson schools, as long as the rain stays at bay and the wind remains calm.
“We don’t fly if it’s over 5 miles an hour,” said organizer Susan Lindsey with AZ Air Ventures. “The balloon is just going to go too fast and it’s too much mass to land. So safety is our number one concern always.”
20 hot-air balloonists are making the trip to the Gila Valley from New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. In addition to flights each morning Thursday through Sunday, there will be other events for the community.
There will also be a pair of evening glows, the first from 6-7 p.m. Friday in the parking lot of the Home Depot, and the second a special New Years Eve glow Saturday, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Safford Middle School football field. The Saturday glow will also feature free tether rides, snow and a hot air balloon drop to ring in the New Year.
The extravaganza is also looking for volunteers to serve as crew for the 20 participating balloons.
“You don’t need any experience. You need to be responsible, show up and they’ll tell you what to do. Everybody’s welcome and it’s really fun to chase a balloon,” Lindsey said.
Sponsors for this year’s Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza include Advanced Air Systems, AZ Air Ventures, Boulevard Glass, City of Safford, Comfort Inn Thatcher, Copper Hills Dental, Paulette LeBlanc at EdSupport LLC, Tyson Richins at Edward Jones, Gila Valley Tourism, Goodman Ag, Griffin’s Propane, Hydra Pest Control, Ice King, Kempton Chevrolet, Matlock Gas, Optimal Health System, Safford Freeze, Thriftee Supermarket, Tom and Tracy Pursley Realtors Tierra Antigua, Tri-County Materials, Vining Funeral Home, Vista Recycling , Pollock’s Western Outfitters and Majik 100.7.
For more information, go to GilaValleyBalloons.com.
