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SALT LAKE CITY — If you missed the Eyes in the Skies hot air balloon festival Sunday, there are still several upcoming balloon festivals to attend in Utah this summer.
Dozens of hot air balloons ascending into the sky at sunrise creates a beautiful sight, and Utahns around the state can watch them launch. Each of the festivals will also have additional activities during the event.
Here’s a list of balloon festivals happening around Utah this summer.
Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally
June 26-28
The Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally was founded in 2000 and is held the last weekend of June each year. The hot air balloons launch each morning during the festival at 6:30 a.m. People who help inflate and launch the balloons may be given a ride, according to the website.
The 2015 event will include vendors, music, family activities and a large inflatable water slide. The events will be held on Main Street and Center Street in Panguitch.
Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo
July 2-4
As part of the annual Freedom Festival, the Balloon Fest will be held each morning from 6:30-8 a.m. Participants should arrive at 6:30 a.m. to watch the balloons inflate. The hot air balloon pilots will participate in several contests including dropping bean bags onto targets below and popping large balloon targets with sharp sticks in a “jousting” match 300 feet above the ground.
Top pilots from around the U.S. attend the festival and compete in the contests, according to the website.
The 30th Balloon Fest will be held at Bulldog Field at 1100 N. Freedom Blvd. in Provo.
Brian Nicholson/Deseret News
Ogden Valley Balloon and Artist Festival
Aug. 14-16
The Ogden Valley Balloon and Artist Festival will offer a variety of activities, including art exhibits, games, food and drink booths and a pie-eating contest. The balloon launches will be held Aug. 14 from 6-10 a.m. and 6:30-8 p.m., Aug. 15 from 7-9 a.m. and 3:30-8 p.m. and Aug. 15 from 6-10 a.m.
Rides in the hot air balloons can also be purchased. The balloons will launch from Eden Park at 2100 N. 6100 East in Eden.
Sandy City Balloon Festival
Aug. 7-8
The balloon launches for the annual Sandy Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place each morning at 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. A balloon glow will also be held Aug. 8 at 8:30 p.m. If participants arrive early, they may have the opportunity to help a pilot fill up his balloon, according to the website.
Pixels Foto and Frame will hold a photo contest for the best photos of the hot air balloons, according to the website. Photographers can enter the contest and submit their photos on the Pixels Foto website.
The balloons will launch from Storm Mountain Park at 11400 S. 1000 East in Sandy.
Autumn Aloft in Park City
Sept. 19-20
The Autumn Aloft was started more than 30 years ago by Park City resident Gene Moser and a group of local hot air balloon pilots, according to the website. The tradition has continued and the 2015 balloon launches will be held Sept. 19-20 from 7-9 a.m. A balloon glow will also be held from 8:30-9 p.m. on Main Street in Park City.
The launches will be held at the North 40 Fields, just north of the Treasure Mountain Junior High School at 2530 Kearns Blvd. in Park City.
Know of any other hot air balloon festivals happening in Utah this summer? Let us know on the comment boards or email fjolley@ksl.com.
Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News
