The Arizona Balloon Classic by Arizona Events Group will be hosting its 10th annual festival Friday, April 30 through Sunday, May 2. Gates are open Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 6 a.m. to noon. Admission is free on Sunday for all ages.
This socially distanced and outdoor event will feature shows and activities throughout the day and evening for the whole family. The Arizona Balloon Classic will be held at the Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S Ballpark Way in Goodyear.
“This is our 10th anniversary for the Arizona Balloon Classic, and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing community partners,” says Tim Matykiewicz, President and CEO of Arizona Events Group. “We are thankful for our attendees for helping to contribute to our fundraising efforts for Valley of the Sun United Way. One of our favorite parts of the classic is our nighttime balloon events, and we are thankful to be able to make the sky glow for the 10th year with our AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union partnership. We have put a lot of thought into this year’s event to make it not only fun for the family, but also socially distanced.”
The schedule of activities includes:
The Arizona Balloon Classic
On Saturday, May 1, 2021 and Sunday May 2, from 6:35 to 7:45 a.m., the sky will be filled with brilliant blues, purples, oranges, and reds as the hot-air balloons participate in thrilling “Hare & Hound” races from the grassy fields of the Goodyear Ballpark for a spectacular sight of mass and color. Spectators can walk on the field right next to the balloons and experience the inflation and lift off. Photo taking is invited.
AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union Desert Glow
On Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., come experience a field full of tethered, illuminated, hot air balloons glowing in time to music.
Saturday night will feature a Pilots Parade with a constant burn of purple, green, red and yellow flames from the balloons. A firework show and the AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union Desert Glow will follow after the parade.
Additional Activities
Throughout the weekend there will also be several different festival-style type activities. A Family Fun Zone will have free and paid activities including hot air balloon rides and tethered rides, inflatable games, stunt bike shows, fireworks (Saturday only), live entertainment, sampling, and more.
Each day there will be a Street Foodfest with a beer and wine garden and local food trucks, live music stage, and more. A new, daytime exhibit has been added, the Desert Wind Kite Festival by My Wind Stuff. Show kites larger than semi-trucks, windsocks larger than motorhomes, and a 50-foot Mega Fish Kite will be flying high in the sky on both Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2. There will also be candy canons, paper rocket making and launching, and parachute racing for all ages. Kites for all ages and abilities will be on hand for sale including single line, dual line sport kites, and quad line stunt kites.
Admission
One day general admission tickets purchased online for Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors (ages 55+). Children 12 and under, active duty military, and veterans are free. Admission is free for all ages on Sunday, May 2. Tickets purchased at the gate are $25 for adults and $15 for seniors on Friday and Saturday. Group ticket packages are available. General parking is $5. Tickets are available at abcfest.com.
