EAC Photo: Balloons fly over Thatcher.
By Paul Anger/EAC Discovery Park Campus
THATCHER — Eastern Arizona College’s Discovery Park Campus was honored to participate in the 2022 inaugural Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza last month by hosting the balloonists for a tour of campus.
More than 60 balloonists, including 20 balloon owners from the western states, came to take part in the extravaganza. Led by local balloon operators Greg and Susan Lindsey, of AZ Air Adventures, the operators and their crews spent an afternoon at Discovery Park Campus learning about the Gila Valley, the telescopes at the Mt. Graham International Observatory, and experiencing the displays and activities found at Discovery Park.
The guest balloonists were welcomed by EAC Discovery Park Campus Director, Paul Anger, who thanked them for bringing their balloons and bringing this festival to Graham County and operated the StarLab Planetarium activities. Each balloon owner was given a certificate for two people to enjoy a free Educational Outreach Visit of the three telescopes at the Mt. Graham International Observatory.
EAC Dean of Instruction, Dr. Phil McBride, shared information about benefits and opportunities found at Eastern Arizona College and hosted rides on the Polaris Shuttle Simulator. Local educators, Marie Arrington and Tawnie Anger, helped the guests with videos, Graham County historical information, and tours of the facility galleries. Special guest and local archaeologist, Joseph Bryce, shared tours and information on the amazing Mill’s Collection, a Pre-Historic Native American Pottery and Artifacts display housed in the Discovery Park – Visitors Learning Center.
“This was a really special opportunity to reach out to these amazing people,” Anger said. “Many of us have seen the Lindseys’ balloons in the early mornings, but it was wonderful to get to know the people behind the balloons, including the incredible ‘chasers’ who make the flights possible and safe.”
“I’m so excited for the new annual balloon festival, and I look forward to a long future of the EAC Discovery Park Campus participating with them,” concluded Anger.
For more information on the EAC Discovery Park Campus, visit www.eac.edu/discoverypark, call (928) 428-6260, or email discoverypark@eac.edu.
