By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – The sixth annual Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza was grounded due to high winds on Monday, but more flights are still scheduled, along with various balloon and candlestick glows.
While Monday’s flights were canceled, some pilots arrived a day early and flew both the morning and afternoon flights on Sunday as a preview of the event.
This year, a record of 23 hot air balloons is scheduled, with a 160-foot-wide, 88-foot-tall “Luke Skybarker” beagle-shaped balloon, which will make its debut on Dec. 31 at the New Year’s Eve Super Glow Show Party at Safford Middle School, starting at 5 p.m.
Balloons are scheduled to launch daily from Ruth Powell Elementary School at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30; Wednesday, Dec. 31; and Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
There will be a candlestick glow on Tuesday night at Home Depot at 6 p.m. and a Super Glow Show New Year’s Eve Party at Safford Middle School on Wednesday night. During the Glow Show Party on Wednesday, free tether balloon rides for children will start at 5 p.m., with the balloons glowing from 6-7 p.m. Children will also receive free glow toys from the pilots.
Volunteers needed to crew balloons
The Extravaganza committee works hard to recruit volunteers to crew the 23 balloons. “Crewing doesn’t require any experience, only a commitment to show up, follow directions, and have fun,” said Crew & Operations Director Marie Arrington.
“There is no way to bring 23 hot air balloons here to fly without a large number of community volunteers willing to help set up the balloons, follow them as they fly, and help pack them away,” Arrington said. Crew volunteers receive a free Extravaganza t-shirt and may have the opportunity to fly. “When space is available, and on crew day, many of the volunteers are invited to actually fly in the balloons. Last year, 160 local community members received free flights, with 55 of those being crew volunteers,” Arrington said. Anyone interested in crewing can sign up at gilavalleyballoons.com.
Keep an eye on the sky over the next few mornings to track the hot air balloons, or attend the glow/candlestick events at Home Depot on Tuesday and at Safford Middle School on Wednesday.
