Hot air balloon to return to SalsaFest

Contributed Photo/Courtesy Graham County Chamber of Commerce: The AZ Air Ventures balloon will take part in this year’s Hot Air Balloon Glow at SalsaFest on Friday, Sept. 24, starting at 8 p.m.

Contributed Article/Courtesy Graham County Chamber of Commerce

GRAHAM COUNTY – The Graham County Chamber of Commerce is announcing the return of the hot air balloon element to the SalsaFest this year.

This year, the owners of AZ Air Ventures, Susan and Greg Lindsey, will be bringing their eight-story tall hot air balloon to the festival for a glow-up experience. Although they won’t be giving rides to festival-goers, they will be inflating the balloon, answering questions, and allowing the community to take pictures of their balloon. To glow up means to light the flame at the top of the basket and fill the balloon with hot gas.  Ice King is the sponsor for the Hot Air Balloon Glow at this year’s SalsaFest.

“It’s a wonderful photo opportunity, the courthouse is only three stories tall, and the balloon is eight stories tall, so you can imagine what it’s like,” Greg said.

The AZ Air Ventures group worked with the SalsaFest team roughly four years ago, Greg said. He added that it is always fun to answer questions and educate the public about balloon flight.

Contributed Photo/Courtesy Graham County Chamber of Commerce: The AZ Air Ventures hot air balloon flies over Downtown Safford.

“We love to educate the community,” he said. “Many people actually think we have a steering wheel. We can’t turn the balloon. There’s no steering.”

Greg has been a balloon pilot in the Graham County area since 2016.

Weather permitting, AZ Air Adventures will display its beautiful balloon in a wonderful glow at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24.