There is nothing quite like the sight of green grass, blue sky, snow capped mountains, and colorful hot air balloons floating in the sky. This sight can be seen at the Telluride Balloon Festival, which takes place the weekend of May 31st - June 2nd in downtown Telluride.
While Telluride hosts a variety of large summer festivals, the Balloon Festival is more quaint and one of the most beautiful of the season. Weather permitting, dozens of hot air balloons launch from Town Park on the east end of town and sail down the valley landing about one mile out of town. The balloons launch at sunrise, as that is the best time of day for the balloons to work with the weather. Often, people watching the festival may also get to help with the launch.
On Saturday night of the festival, June 1st, the balloon pilots inflate their balloons along Main Street and fire up the propane for the "Glow". This is a magical sight that is stunning to see in the beautiful downtown and big mountain backdrop.
Schedule:
Saturday, June 1st:
-6:00 am, Telluride Town Park
-Pilot briefing (public invited) and balloon launch
-Telluride's Young Life will sell coffee, hot chocolate, juice, muffins and other goodies to earn money for camp.
-1:00 pm, Christ Presbyterian Church, downstairs (Rain or shine).
Free Photo Workshop led by professional hot air balloon photographer Paul D deBerjeois. Chance to learn how to take the best pictures (even with a cell phone) of a hot air balloon festival from a real photographer. Paul is a staff writer & photographer for Ballooning Magazine and photographer for the Ballooning Federation of America (BFA).
-7:00 pm, Downtown MAIN STREET GLO ‘til 9:30 p.m.
Hot air balloons will inflate on Colorado Avenue between Aspen and Willow Streets for a spectacular show at dusk.
Sunday, June 2:
-6:00 am, Telluride Town Park
-Pilot briefing (public invited) and balloon launch
Telluride's Young Life will sell coffee, hot chocolate, juice, muffins and other goodies to earn money for camp.
