Ogden, Utah (August 11, 2015) - Experience a breathtaking visual backdrop of vibrant hot air balloons hovering over a lush valley surrounded by the Wastach Mountains during the Ogden Valley Balloon & Artist Festival at Eden Park, August 14-16. The event features 15 hot air balloons which are the focus of three morning launches, two early evening launches and two balloon glows throughout the weekend.
“There is magic in the air when witnessing the beauty of Ogden Valley as balloons are filled and scatter through the sky” Said, balloon festival chair, Terry Murphy. “The strong community support continues to make this festival an Ogden Valley tradition.”
It is the panoramic views intertwined with swaths of torchlit balloons that gets hearts pumping for spectators and organizers alike. Guests can elevate their experience by participating in a flight or by signing up to volunteer and assist pilots to unload and fill the balloons. Balloonists plan to start the spectacular dawn mass ascension each day between 6:30–7:00 a.m. If the morning launch is missed, spectators can enjoy an evening launch or the balloon glow on Friday and Saturday. All balloon activities are weather permitting. Fog, wind, rain and clouds can ground the exhibition.
Additional activites for guests during the festival include breakfast benefitting the Ogden Rescue Mission, tethered balloon rides, live music, kids activities, artists’ booths, food vendors and live performances. Entrance into the festival is free with nominal fees for the family games and food. Parking will also be available at Valley Market and Snowcrest Junior High School with a $2 shuttle ride to and from Eden Park.
The detailed three-day festival schedule is listed below.
Ogden Valley Balloon & Artist Festival
Friday, August 14, 2015 (all day)
6:00-10:00 a.m. Media Balloon Launch & Rides
7:00-10:00 a.m. Breakfast benefiting the Ogden Rescue Mission
4:00-9:00 p.m. Event Open: Fine Art Exhibits, Craft & Food, Kids Games & Rides
5:00-7:30 p.m. Live Music by Scotty Haze
6:30-8:00 p.m. Evening Balloon Launch
8:00-10:00 p.m. Live Music by Soulistics
8:45-9:30 p.m. Evening Balloon Glow
Saturday, August 15, 2015 (all day)
7:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Event Open: Fine Art Exhibits, Craft & Food, Kids Games & Rides
7:00-9:00 a.m. Morning Balloon Launch & Rides
7:00-10:00 a.m. Breakfast benefiting the Ogden Rescue Mission
9:00-10:00 a.m. Parachuter’s – National Anthem
9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Live Music
2:00-3:00 p.m. Pie Eating Contest
3:30-8:00 p.m. Evening Balloon Launch
8:45-9:30 p.m. Evening Balloon Glow
Sunday, August 16, 2015 (6:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
6:00-10:00 a.m. Morning Balloon Launch & Rides
7:00-10:00 a.m. Breakfast benefiting the Ogden Rescue Mission
7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Event Open: Fine Art Exhibits, Craft & Food, Kids Games & Rides
For more informaiton visit www.ogdenvalleyballoonfestival.com.
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About Ogden Valley Balloon & Artist Festival
The Ogden Valley Balloon Festival began in 1994 as a fundraising event for Eden Park to help them construct a bowery by their playing fields. It outgrew that location and moved to the Festival Field at Wolf Creek Utah where it has been hosted since 2004. In 2014 Nordic Valley’s owners, Skyline Mountain Base made a generous donation of funds and location, allowing the Balloon Festival to be reestablished. The 2015 festival will return to its beginning location Eden Park. It has since become the grand finale of the summer season, and draws visitors from around the world. It is the only Balloon Festival in the intermountain west that enhances the attraction of a balloon rally with all day arts & cultural events.
