Southern Utah Is Flying High With The Up & Away Hot Air Balloon Festival
– By James McFadden –
January 17 & 18, 2025, at the Staheli Family Farm.
Bring in the New Year and the sights of southern Utah as the annual Up & Away Hot Air Balloon Festival takes to the skies in Washington, Utah, Presented by The Washington Area Chamber of Commerce and TDS. Admission and parking are free.
With over 12,000 attendees last year, this year is sure to be a memorable experience for all who attend.
Each year, 30 hot air balloons soar above Washington County. Taking to the skies on both Friday and Saturday mornings, with tethered Hot Air Balloon rides available for those attending. If you would like to enjoy a ride, you must sign up on their website ahead of time at UpAndAwayBalloonFestival.com and pick up your wristbands at the Washington Chamber of Commerce office at 85 E Telegraph between 9 AM & 1 PM M-F.
This year, they have over 100 vendors, food trucks, and entertainment on both days for visitors to enjoy with their friends and families.
Starting Friday afternoon, you can enjoy the one-of-a-kind vendor and craft fair, with local entertainment with the Rising Star Talent Competition, and to finish the evening, you can sit back and relax to the Balloon Glow as the sun goes down.
Then, on Saturday morning, you can rev your inner engines at the sweet ol’ Classic Car Show, so get there early to enjoy all the attractions.
For those wishing to participate in the Rising Star Talent Competition both days, visit their website to sign up for the talent competition for a shot at $500, $250, and $100 cash prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. In addition to the balloons, the talent show, and the car show, there will also be a tasty pie-eating contest on Saturday.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday, January 17 (Times are approximate – get there early so you don’t miss anything)
7-10 AM: Morning Balloon Launch (weather permitting)
8 AM: Tethered balloon rides (Purchase Online – no tickets sold at the farm)
4-9 PM: Vendor and Craft Fair
5 PM: Rising Star Talent Competition
6:30 PM: Balloon Glow (come early for parking and food trucks!)
Saturday, January 18 (All times are approximate – get there early so you don’t miss anything)
7-10 AM: Morning Balloon Launch (weather permitting)
8 AM: Tethered balloon rides (Purchase Online – no tickets sold at the farm)
10 AM: Classic Car Show
11 AM – 9 PM: Vendor and Craft Fair
2 PM & 5 PM: Rising Star Talent Competition
6:30 PM: Balloon Glow (come early for parking and food trucks!)
For more information, call the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce at 435-879-3515 or go to www.upandawayballoonfestival.com. We’ll see you in the skies!
The Staheli Family Farm is located at 3400 S Washington Fields Rd in the City of Washington.
