Up, Up and Away: Arizona Balloon Classic to lift off this weekend at Goodyear Ballpark
Field Trip Friday is sponsored by Sanderson Ford
GOODYEAR, AZ (AZFamily) — Feel like you’re flying through the sky at the Arizona Balloon Classic this weekend! The much-anticipated event will be lifting off in the West Valley, with hundreds expected to watch the majestic flights.
Arizona’s Family is taking you on a hot air balloon ride on this Field Trip Friday.
Know Before You Go
The event will run Friday, Jan. 24, through Sunday, Jan. 26, at Goodyear Ballpark near Estrella Parkway and Yuma Road.
On Friday and Saturday, glows, tethered balloon rides, amusement attractions and food will be available from 12-9 p.m. Depending on the weather, morning ascensions will take off beginning at 7 a.m.
Remember, all balloon events are subject to change based on weather. Friday’s morning ascensions were unfortunately canceled due to high winds.
You can purchase a tethered hot air balloon ride at the event site for $30 per person or $15 for kids 12 and under. Click or tap here to book your flights.
If you’re a bit afraid of heights, you can still enjoy the fun by watching the sky filled with colorful hot air balloons! Spectators can walk on the field and experience the balloon’s inflation and lift-off. Photo-taking is encouraged.
Free parking is available all weekend.
General admission tickets are $22, and seniors get in for $18. Active military, veterans and children 12 and under are all free. In addition, $15 group tickets are available for purchase. Click here to get yours now.
Event Attractions
One of the most popular and highly attended events is the Desert Glows, which will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings. Watch a field full of illuminated, tethered hot air balloons “glow” in the night sky — all synchronized to the music of DJ Akshen!
For the kiddos, a free family fun zone with inflatables will be available to play in!
On Saturday, don’t forget to check out the three BMX stunt shows performed by the Superhero Stunt Team! The shows will be at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Shopaholics are also invited to check out the retail shopping and exhibits at the event.
Don’t forget to come hungry! The 8th Annual “Street Foodfest” will feature a variety of festival food favorites, including turkey legs and tasty fried foods. For the adults, check out the beer and beverage garden. Enjoy a cold beer, relax with live music and watch the balloons lift off!
See the full schedule of events here.
Hot Air Balloon History
It’s a bucket-list activity for many thrill-seekers in Arizona: hot air balloon rides. We see them dotting the sky nearly every morning here in the Valley of the Sun. But many don’t know the history behind the majestic flights.
Ballooning started in the 18th century and has come a long way since the first flight in France. Chief Pilot for Rainbow Ryders, Patrick Stevens, says it began as a series of experiments between two French brothers.
“Ballooning actually began back in 1783 in France. A pair of brothers by the names of Joseph and Étienne Montgolfier started ballooning. And back then they just simply used BBQ pits in the ground to fill a balloon full of smoke and heat. They would jump aboard a platform, cut the ropes free and off they went,” he explained.
But who were the first passengers on this balloon? “The very first flight was a duck, a sheep and a rooster to test to see if it was safe. They had theorized about sending prisoners on board to test to see if it was safe, but they didn’t want prisoners going down in history if it worked so they sent the animals first,” said Stevens.
A few months later, the first manned flight successfully flew over Paris. From there, balloons developed to become more safe and advanced.
“They started to evolve. Started to use burners, or at least BBQs on board the aircraft so they could make their landings a bit smoother, safer,” Stevens said.
Fast forward to the present day, thousands of hot air balloon rides take off each week. In Arizona, tourists often rise before the sun to hop on these coveted rides.
Patrick says he’s piloted more than 10,000 rides over his 34-year career. He says to anyone who hasn’t gone but wants to, just do it!
“If you have any preconceived notions about not doing it, just throw them aside. You really got to do it. I hear it all the time. People are like, ‘Wow I was so nervous, this was nothing like what I expected.’ Or I get the occasional person who’s like, ‘Oh, my husband or my daughter were going to come but they were too nervous.’ It’s just like, no, no, you really need to come out and do it. Everybody always admits, ‘Yeah, they would have loved it,’” he said.
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