PANGUITCH, UTAH – On Sunday, the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally came to a close, ending the 15th annual weekend-long event.
Set in the shadow of Utah’s Color Country, the balloon rally offered balloon enthusiasts and spectators alike the chance to get up close and personal as the colorful giants took to the skies each morning of the festival.
On Saturday the small town offered up big fun with a 5K race, a biker parade, karaoke contests, live music and more.
The highlight of the balloon rally happened Saturday evening at sunset. Balloon pilots and their crews tethered their balloons and filled them up on Panguitch Main Street. The hot air lit the balloons like colossal lanterns and the public was invited to walk among them dancing to live bands, while eating good food and enjoying the majestic sight.
“Saturday evening is the best,” event organizer, Cheryl Church, said, “sometimes the pilots even let you sit in the basket while they light them up.”
The town of Panguitch is situated on Highway 89 and is within easy driving distance of Bryce Canyon National Park, Panguitch Lake, Brian Head Resort and Cedar Breaks National Monument offering a myriad of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, camping and riding on over 100 miles of ATV and OHV trails.
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Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
In this file photo from 2014, colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons fly over Panguitch during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Colorful balloons are launched from a field during the 15th annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Hot air balloons light up the night and the Main Street during the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally balloon glow, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Hot air balloons light up the night and the Main Street during the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally balloon glow, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Hot air balloons light up the night and the Main Street during the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally balloon glow, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Hot air balloons light up the night and the Main Street during the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally balloon glow, Panguitch, Utah, June 28, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
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