27th Annual Bluff International Balloon Festival takes to the skies this weekend

The winter desert landscape in Bluff is ready to see over 20 balloons soar overhead this weekend as part of the 27th annual Bluff International Balloon Festival.
The annual balloon festival is organized by the Business Owners of Bluff and occurs each January during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, and brings balloon pilots from the four-corners region.
This year’s festivities run Friday through Sunday with ample opportunity for balloon watching for the viewing public.
Speaking with Red Rock 92.7 FM event organizer Diana Davidson said the balloon festival offers a unique opportunity.
“The Bluff Balloon Festival is unique in that we're small enough that you will really feel part of the festival. You can look at balloons. You can look at these hot air balloons extremely close up if you want or you can pick a spot that's a little further away. When they're flying over Bluff, you can't miss this. They're just beautiful in the sky and especially against the red rocks.”
Flights are scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, each morning balloon pilots will meet for a pilot’s briefing to determine if the weather conditions are safe enough for balloons to launch.
Balloon rides are Friday and Saturday morning in Bluff at 7:30 am and on Sunday morning 25 miles west in the Valley of the Gods, with a caravan leaving Bluff at 7:00 am.
Non-balloon festivities kick off Friday evening with a Navajo Taco supper from 5 to 7 p.m. The dinner will benefit Bluff Elementary School and will be held at the school and feature talents and cultural showcases.
In connection with the town’s recent designation as a Dark Sky Community a stargazing event with telescopes will also be held on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm.
The stargazing event is being organized by Bears Ears Partnership and will also occur at Bluff Elementary School.
Hot air balloons will again fly over Bluff on Saturday morning. Following the flight will be a full day of activities starting with a Creative Community Art Event.
Which will include free hot chocolate and coffee and make Art. Art projects including a mural will be led by Georgiana Kennedy Simpson and Whitehorse High Raider Art Studio.
That will run from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the Bluff Community Center.
Saturday evening marks the Evening of Fire and Ice from 4 to 7 p.m. at the community center.
The glow-in will include several balloons blown up at dusk while remaining tethered the balloons float above the ground to make a beautiful sight at sunset and early into the night.
The Evening of Fire and Ice also includes an Ice Cream and Chili social from 4 to 6, as well as music by Neon Nativez.
Sunday morning a caravan of balloonists will leave the Bluff community center at 7 a.m. to drive south for flights in the Valley of the Gods to conclude the festival.
This year Davidson noted organizers are re-emphasizing the importance of leave no trace principles.
“Sunday there is a caravan that leaves from the community center probably around 7:30 to go to Valley of the Gods or you're welcome to go down there on your own if you want. Many of the pilots really look forward to flying Valley of the Gods. If you go to Valley of the Gods, please visit with respect. Stay on the road. We're trying to make Valley of the Gods a one-way Sunday morning, don't get off the road, don't bust the crust."
While viewing the balloons and participating in the on-the-ground events are open to the public, riding in a balloon is not. To fly in a balloon, you must be a festival sponsor. Those sponsorships have sold out.
While flights are scheduled each morning they may be pulled due to weather conditions. Each morning a pilot briefing is held to advise pilots on weather conditions for the day.
If weather conditions are poor, a decision may be made at the briefing to determine whether or not balloons will fly that morning. Organizer Steve Simpson also highlighted the events uniqueness.
“The Bluff Festival is very intimate and you can get up close with the pilots, get to know them understand the mechanics of balloon flight, and the pilots are always very generous with their information. If you come on Friday morning, there's typically an opportunity to help crew with the balloon pilots. That really is a very interesting experience. You unload the equipment, roll out the envelope, you fire it up, and then set the balloons aloft and it's very enjoyable.”
The schedule and additional information can be found online at BluffUtah.org