Residents and visitors looking forward to seeing colorful hot air balloons fill Southwest Valley skies in late January should save the date: the 10th annual Arizona Balloon Classic has been locked in for Friday through Sunday, Jan. 22-24.
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The Arizona Events Group festival at Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S Ballpark Way in Goodyear, will be a socially distanced event featuring shows and activities throughout the day and evening for the whole family.
The schedule of activities includes:
Hare and Hound races: From 7:35 to 8:35 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, dawn will be broken by brilliant blues, purples, oranges and reds as hot air balloons lift off from the ballpark’s grassy fields while spectators watch crews inflate the balloons and lift off. Photo taking is invited.
Desert Glows: From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, festival-goers can experience a field full of illuminated, tethered hot air balloons as they glow in time to music.
Family Fun Zone: Assorted ticketed and free activities will run from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to noon Sunday, including hot air balloon rides and tethered rides, free inflatable games, stunt bike shows, live entertainment, sampling and more. The zone also will feature vendors and commercial exhibits for purchases or browsing. Saturday night’s activities will conclude with fireworks.
Street Foodfest: The festival’s fourth annual foodfest will feature beer and wine gardens, local food truck and festival food favorites, and a live music stage from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to noon Sunday.
Daily admission to the festival is $20 per person at the gate, or tickets may be purchased at abcfest.com beginning Friday, Nov. 27. Active-duty military and children ages 12 younger are free. Group ticket packages available. General parking is $5 at the ballpark.
Each year, organizers donate a portion of alcoholic beverage and ticket sales to a local nonprofit. This year’s partner is Valley of the Sun United Way. Last year’s festival raised $7,500 for ABC’s partner.