Written by Becky McSeddon

One of the best events of the season will fill the skies from January 18th to 21st.

The Havasu Balloon Festival & Fair, hosted by Anderson Toyota at Lake Havasu State Park Windsor 4, is expected to once again bring the thrill of seeing hot air balloons over the area. In addition to balloons, there are also balloon rides, sunsets, and stalls.

Flights and glows are scheduled both in the morning and in the evening, conditions permitting.

Balloon Meister Gary Moore said: “The event venue is the perfect place to see balloons together and up close and personal.”

Mr. Moore emphasized the importance of event participants understanding how the situation will affect flight schedules and inflation during the event.

“Sometimes it looks like a good day with low wind speeds at the surface, but the upper level winds are even faster and in poor direction, which can lead to flight cancellations.”For photos and questions for the pilots: There is also the possibility of inflating balloons on the field,” Moore said.

Another highlight of the event will include visits by pilots and balloonists to local schools to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for hot air ballooning.

Always a fan favorite are the special shaped balloons.

This year's festival won't disappoint. Tiny, the fire dog, will also be in attendance, along with Virginia pilot Henry Rosenbaum. Busby the Royal Guard and British pilot Paul Burrows. Yogi Bear and Kentucky pilot Tom Stienbock. Speed ​​with Colorado pilot Count Buzzard. First in Flight (represents the first balloon flight by sheep, rooster, and duck) Pilot Scott Griswold (New York). Elvis and New Mexico pilot Debbie Young. Bandit (a raccoon) and Texas pilot Diane Carlson. Seahorse Mango and Arizona pilot Jacob Little. Joto (Brazilian Green Elephant cartoon character) and Brazilian pilot Luis Paula Gnecco Rodríguez de Assis.

Balloon experiences are only available at venues where there is a line for the ride tent.

“Please arrive early as there are a limited number of balloons available for each flight. There will be no advance ticket sales. Weather permitting, we will be riding tethered balloons in the field,” Moore said. .

Balloon flights at the event site will take place early in the morning at sunrise and late in the evening. The glow begins around sunset.

“The event will have many other activities throughout the day. Check the schedule,” Moore said.

He added that only one year out of 12 did the balloon not make at least one flight, and in some years it had every inflation or multiple inflations.

“The purpose of this festival is to entertain audiences and families and bring smiles to people's faces,” Moore said.

The Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair is a charity event sponsored by the Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis Club of Lake Havasu City.

Over 12 years, more than $1 million has been donated to local charities.

Admission fee:

Windsor 4 gates will be open from 12pm to 10:30pm on Thursday, January 18th. Saturday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.Sunday 6am to 3pm

Admission is $20 for adults ages 12 and older. Children under 12 years old are free.

Tethered Balloon Ride: $20 for adults ages 12 and older. $5 for children 5 and under. Children ages 6 to 11 are $10. All will be sold as tethered balloon ride tents. Weather permitting.

Untethered balloon rides are $250 per person, weather permitting.

Please come havasballoonfestival.com You can find a complete schedule and parking information using the Havasu Balloon Festival app on your phone.

Parking and site map:

The shuttle is free!

Special shapes for the 2024 Havasu Balloon Festival: