Let summer take flight at the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally
By Hannah Lunt
Utahns can watch hot air balloons take flight as the sun rises during the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally. The festival is free to attend and takes place throughout Panguitch June 21–24. This event includes a variety of activities from vendors to children rides and is the perfect opportunity to experience southern Utah’s beauty in a new way.
“The exquisite, red-rock scenery and fresh, crisp air mixed with the brightly colored hot air balloons against the blue sky is what makes our festival unique,” said Sydnee Mecham, Panguitch Main Street director. “Those who have moved away come back to this event year after year and bring their friends because there is no other festival quite like ours.”
The hot air balloons will take flight daily from Panguitch’s baseball fields at 6:30 a.m. and descend around 9 a.m. After the display of balloons, vendors from food to craft will be open all day, every day, along Panguitch’s Main Street and behind Zions Bank. The balloon rally also includes children’s activities such as inflatable rides and slides, bingo, a balloon glow, a 5K, live entertainment, and more.
On June 23, a 5K is being held by the Panguitch High School cross-country club. The race starts at the high school track at 390 E 100 W and begins at 7 a.m. as the balloons rise. Registration is available online at panguitchmainstreet.org or the day of the race from 6 to 6:45 a.m. The registration cost is $25 per person. The course will take runners through the town’s streets and loop back to the track. After the 5K, a free children’s race around the track starts.
“The balloon festival is one of the many ways we attract visitors to our town and increase business,” Mecham said. “The majority of our businesses are on Main Street, which is a big reason why the balloon glow is held on the road.”
The balloon glow is Saturday night, during which all the balloons are lined up on Main Street with a band on each end of the road. As dusk covers the night, the balloons are filled with fiery air to the beat of the music. The vendors and activities will continue offering services during the glow.
Four different bands are scheduled to perform June 22 and 23. June 22’s featured band is The Move Ins, and June 23’s featured bands are Transit Cast, The Good Will Band, and Most Wanted.
For more information on the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, visit panguitch.com, and to learn about other activities and places to see while attending the rally, go to brycecanyoncountry.com.
Articles related to “Let summer take flight at the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally”
Utah Division of Water Resources creates Utah’s Open Water Data portal
