Buena Vista Balloon Festival

June 11th and 12th should go down (or up, in this case!) in Buena Vista’s history as a weekend to remember. The third annual BalloonaVista will commence at 6:00am on both days at the Buena Vista Rodeo Grounds. Twenty hot air balloons will take off in rapid succession, hoping to chase down the red, white and blue Remax balloon in a race dubbed “The Hare and the Hound.” Local sponsors will have the opportunity to come along for the ride, and any other brave souls can purchase a half-hour ride with the race participants. Reservations can be made at the The Galleries of Buena Vista.

The weekend will be full of events for the whole family! While locals and tourists alike will be snapping pictures of the race balloons, anyone wishing to experience ballooning while keeping one foot on the ground can take a tethered ride. Many visitors will be happy just wandering through the streets of this charming Western mountain town, soaking in the history of the local Heritage Museum, the South Park & Pacific Railroad Depot and the turn-of-the-century apple orchards at Turner Farm. Still others will enjoy soaking in Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, or venturing back in time at St. Elmo, the best preserved ghost town in the West!

The Galleries of Buena Vista will host their annual Art Walk both Saturday and Sunday – attendees can stimulate their senses with artist demonstrations in a variety of mediums ranging from bronze casting to oil and watercolor displays, jewelry design, ceramics and even hand-turned aspen vessels! Meander through the many galleries, enjoying exquisite fine art, local craftsmanship and small town hospitality, and don’t forget to collect a piece or two of genuine Colorado artwork along the way!

 Saturday evening brings with it good food, fun, and relaxing entertainment, topped off with the subtle beauty of hot air balloons glowing at dusk. Beginning at 6:30pm, the River Park on East Main Street will play host to to the evening's entertainment. Pick up a burrito or Frito pie at the softball field, then sit back and enjoy the intricate harmonies of Volan, Uveges and Sokol (VUS). There should be a little something for everyone, but be careful...it's tempting to sing along! Then, as the sun sets over Mt. Princeton, the evening's most anticipated event finally arrives. Wander through a sea of hot air balloons tethered to the ground and glowing like huge pumpkins, using the Collegiate Peaks and Mosquito Mountain Ranges as their background. What a wonderful way to add candlelight touches to an already enchanting mountain evening!

The event is sponsored by the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce and organized by The Galleries of Buena Vista. For more information or to schedule a balloon ride, please Contact the Chamber at (719) 395-6612 or The Galleries at (719) 395-3718.

Article curtesy of the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce