Kanab Balloons and Tunes Roundup soaring to greater heights
By Karen Williams
Come to the fifth annual Kanab Balloons and Tunes Roundup Feb. 15–17. See bright, beautiful hot air balloons against the stunning Vermillion Cliffs of Kanab and rock out to the music from the Battle of the Bands.
With the event taking place over President’s Day weekend, it gives you the opportunity to stay a little longer. Kanab is located in the heart of the Grand Circle and centrally located to many natural scenic wonders. Take advantage of this long weekend to explore three national parks, two state parks, many national monuments, and much more.
Bryan Hill is the event’s balloonmeister. He currently lives in Page, Arizona and is also the balloonmeister for Page’s annual balloon festival as well as the balloon festival in Panguitch. Hill is an avid balloonist and participates in several events each year located throughout the Southwest. He enjoys event competitions and won first place overall in 2010 at Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Bryan will be flying in his balloon, called “Basketcase.”
“This area is absolutely beautiful and magical and it’s extra magical with the colorful balloons flying with the red rock back ground,” Hill said.
After Hill graduated from college, he received his Single Engine Land private pilot license. Later, he received his Lighter Than Air (hot air balloon) rating in 2000, and in 2005 he received his Commercial Lighter Than Air rating and has since accumulated over 800 hours in a hot air balloon.
The hot air balloons will launch each morning just after sunrise (weather permitting) at 7:30 a.m. The colorful balloons will fly with a beautiful backdrop of the red rock Vermilion Cliffs, located near the scenic Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, with the added beauty of early morning light. The balloons can be seen from all over Kanab.
After enjoying the balloons, check out the tunes at the Battle of the Bands Feb. 15 and 16 on North Main Street. Watch nearly a dozen different bands compete on the outdoor stage for free all day. If you want to vote for your favorite band, purchase a Balloons and Tunes t-shirt for the opportunity to cast your vote.
Don’t forget to check out the street fair, also located on Main Street, for a variety of vendors selling food, art, and one-of-a-kind crafts throughout the weekend. The street fair will be Feb. 15 from 3 to 9 p.m. and Feb. 16 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Vendor applications are still being accepted. If you would like to be a vendor, go to balloonsandtunesroundup.com and find vendor applications at the bottom of the page.
The festivities will continue Feb. 16 with the balloon glow at 7 p.m. The pilots will line Center Street and light up their colorful balloons for all to enjoy. To finish an amazing evening, there will be a wishing lantern launch on Center Street at 8 p.m. Lanterns will be available for purchase at the street fair. Write your wish on it, launch it with a friend, and watch the lanterns fill the night sky. With so many great activities going on, you’ll want to stay the whole weekend, so book a room today!
For more information about the Kanab Balloons and Tunes Roundup or lodging in Kanab, go to balloonsandtunesroundup.com.
Sunday morning, the colorful balloons will have their final launch with the backdrop of majestic red rock to be seen by all in Kanab — Magically Unspoiled.
