Volunteer crew needed for Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza

SAFFORD — Graham County’s next big event is just a week away, and organizers are putting out the call for volunteers to make the event fly.

Susan Lindsey, with AZ Air Ventures, said about 20 hot air balloons will take part in the third annual Gila Valley New Year’s Balloon Extravaganza, Dec. 29-31 and Jan. 1, which means about 80 volunteers are needed to help set-up, chase and break-down the balloons.

“The chase is like a treasure hunt,” Lindsey said. “It’s like, ‘OK, where’s he going to go?’ Our goal as a chase crew is to be in front of him, and predict where he’s going to land that eight-story building.”

Volunteer crew members also get an extra chance to fly in a balloon, when possible. Flights are weather dependent.

Pilots will be attending from eight states — Texas, Colorado, Utah, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Indiana and Arizona. Balloons will launch each day at 7:30 a.m. (weather permitting) from the lot behind Ruth Powell School in Safford.

For those who don’t get a chance to fly, there are two opportunities to get up close and personal with the balloons and talk to the pilots. The first is a glow — where the pilots light the burners without a balloon overhead — in the parking lot of Home Depot on Friday, Dec. 29, starting at 6 p.m.

The second opportunity is free tether rides for children — the balloon is tethered to the ground and allowed to lift off a few feet in the air — Saturday, Dec. 30, starting at 6 p.m., at Safford Middle School. A second glow will follow.

Sponsors for the Gila Valley New Year’s Balloon Extravaganza include Advanced Air, America’s Mattress, Boulevard Glass, Chamber of Commerce, Copper and Cotton, Copper Hills Dental, Edward Jones 411 5th St., Enchanted Boutique, Gila Outdoor, Gila Valley Embroidery, Goodman Ag, Green’s Furniture, H&S Feed Tack & Wear, Home Depot, Joe’s Ride-n-Dine, Kempton Chevrolet, Lee’s Rite-Way, Marcia’s Garden, Matlock Gas, OHS, Pollock’s, The Wear, Tierra Antigua Safford, and Valley Furniture.

All sponsors get a free balloon ride.

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