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Arkansas Valley Balloon Festival - Rocky Ford,
Colorado
Mark your calendar and plan to visit Rocky Ford and the lower Arkansas Valley
every November for the only Hot Air Balloon Festival in
Southeast Colorado. This annual
event takes place the first weekend in November and
should be included on everyone's calendar.
Balloonists
from around the state converge on the city of Rocky Ford
for a fun-filled three day gathering, which includes the
Balloon Festival, an art
show and a photo contest. On Thursday morning the Rocky
Ford Lions Club sponsors a Wake Up Breakfast beginning
at 6:45 a.m. at the Gobin Building, located at 105 North
Main Street to get area residents and sponsors fueled up
for the weekend activities.
The balloonists arrive on Friday
and provide fun demonstrations at local schools and then are treated to
a welcome dinner in Rocky Ford. On Saturday everyone is
welcome to watch the balloons launch from the Rocky Ford High School
at 100 West Washington. The gates of the launch site
open at 6:00 a.m. and the pilots prepare for the first lift-off at 6:30
a.m. The chill of the frosty fall air is held at bay
by the Rotary Club who serve up hot chocolate, coffee,
cinnamon rolls and donuts. By early
morning the skies are dotted with the bright colors of
the balloons as
 they
float above the rich autumn colors below.
Drop by the Gobin Building Thursday - Sunday from 10
a.m. - 6 p.m. and check out the photo contest and the art show
and sale presented by the Fine Arts League. On Saturday
afternoon at the Gobin Building the pilots serve as
judges for art in the ballooning category.
On Sunday the events of
the previous day are repeated with an early morning
lift-off and tethered rides for those who like to keep
one foot on the ground. The balloonists enjoy sharing
their hobby and are more than happy to visit with the
spectators prior to launching.
While you are here, visit our local
communities, take a
tour of our museums or step back in time at
Bent's Old
Fort. We know you will enjoy our small town hospitality.
The weekend will provide something for everyone and is a
great way to enjoy the fall in the Arkansas Valley.
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