Contributed Article/Courtesy Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza
GRAHAM COUNTY —The skies above the Gila Valley are set to be painted with color as the sixth annual New Year’s Balloon Extravaganza takes flight from Dec. 29 through Jan. 1, 2026.
This year’s event will feature a record 23 hot air balloons, up from 20 last year, and a spectacular new attraction: “Luke Skybarker,” a massive beagle-shaped balloon. The special shape will debut on Dec. 31 at the New Year’s Eve Super Glow Show Party at Safford Middle School, starting at 5 p.m.
Sponsored by Dr. Debbie Chapman at Desert Cross Veterinary Hospital, the colossal “Luke Skybarker” is 160 feet wide, 88 feet tall, and holds 240,000 cubic feet of hot air. Dr. Chapman’s staff will help crew the balloon during the glow. “We here at Desert Cross are passionate about helping out with all the animals, big, small, and gigantic!” she said.
Event Activities
Balloons will launch daily around 7:30 a.m. from the fields by Ruth Powell Elementary School in Safford. People are invited onto the fields to watch or participate in setting up the balloons. 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. Both glows will include food vendors, a DJ, drawings for prizes provided by Home Depot, and opportunities for the public to light the burners.
“Last year we tethered 374 kids, and over the last five years, we have tethered over 1,000,” said Gila Valley Balloons Board Member and Co-Balloon Meister Susan Lindsey.
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.
A free community celebration
The Extravaganza is hosted by Gila Valley Balloons, a local 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization with the goals of promoting economic stability through tourism, offering free, family-friendly celebrations over the New Year’s holiday, and educating people about the sport of hot air ballooning.
“The Extravaganza is the only free, family-friendly balloon rally in the state of Arizona and the perfect way for families to celebrate the New Year’s holiday together,” said Lindsey. “Recognized nationally as the last and first balloon rally of the year, the Extravaganza attracts pilots from seven states, including Texas, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona.”
Board President and Co-Balloon Meister Greg Lindsey is most excited about the event’s effects on the community, noting that over 500 Gila Valley residents have flown during the Extravaganza in the last five years. “The community is not just invited to attend, but they actually participate. Our sponsors love that about the Extravaganza. Our sponsorship includes flying during the event, and many of the volunteers get to fly,” Greg said. Last year, 52 sponsors, 34 VIPs, 16 Duck Hunt winners, and 55 local volunteer crew members took balloon flights.
Sponsorship and Support
Hosting the Extravaganza depends on securing financial support from sponsors, donations, and grants. The Lindseys emphasized that because they and the sponsors want this event to remain free to the community, one of the only free balloon events in the state, sponsors, grants, and donations are crucial to continuing the event each year.
Extravaganza sponsors this year include:
● 6 years: Az Air Ventures, Ice King, and Mattlock Gas
● 5 years Tom & Tracy Pursley of Tierra Antigua Reality
● 4 years: Tyson Richins of Edward Jones, Kempton Chevrolet, Tri-County Materials, Vining Funeral Home, Comfort Inn Thatcher, City of Safford, and Vista Recycling
● 3 years: Barney Trucking, Gila Valley Embroidery, Graham County Board of Supervisors, Home Depot, and Relax Tax and Accounting Services
● 2 years: Desert Bloom Dentistry, Sparklight, and Sundt Construction
● First-Time Sponsors: Desert Cross Veterinary Hospital, Velocity Builders, Freedom Flooring, and Farmers Insurance, Michelle Wilson Agency.
The Duck Hunt
The Duck Hunt helps stimulate economic stability in our community by having local businesses hide ducks on their shelves shortly after Thanksgiving. The finders of a duck are given a QR code to register online to win a free hot air balloon ride for two during the event. Last year, 21 Duck Hunt winners were offered flights. “Again, we just want to help stimulate economic activity in our community, and the Duck Hunt is a fun way to get our community members into our local stores,” said Greg.
Stores participating in this year’s Duck Hunt include: America’s Mattress, Boulevard Glass, Chamber of Commerce, Copper and Cotton, Edward Jones Tyson Richins, Enchanted Boutique, Gila Outdoor, Gila Valley Embroidery, Green’s Furniture, H&S Feed Tack and Wear, Home Depot, Joe’s Ride-N-Dine, Kempton Chevrolet, Lee’s Rite-Way, Matlock Gas, Pollock’s Western Wear, and Tierra Antigua Safford.
Getting Involved
The Gila Valley Balloons board members, including Greg and Susan Lindsey, Marie Arrington, Jon Anderson, Casey Gable, Karen Ramirez-Ragland, and Jim and Vicki Rolfson, serve on a committee throughout the year to secure all funding for the event. Funds come through sponsorships, which always include free balloon rides, collecting tax-deductible donations to the 501 (c) (3), or writing grants. They also organize and run the Extravaganza and welcome anyone interested in helping to contact them at info@gilavalleyballoons.com. To sign up as a crew member or to become a sponsor or donor, visit GilaValleyBalloons.com.
