The skies over Ventura County will sparkle with color July 30 and 31, 2010 when hot air balloons take flight in the Citrus Classic Balloon Festival in Santa Paula. Just 1.5 hours north of Los Angeles off Hwy 126, Santa Paula provides a beautiful backdrop of rolling hills and picturesque citrus orchards for the brilliantly colored balloons.
The colorful event opens on Friday evening with live music, outdoor dining, beer and wine tasting, arts and crafts booths, and children’s activities. The evening’s highlight is the flickering glow of nearly 25 inflated and illuminated hot air balloons at sunset while tethered to the ground. Spectators also have a chance to mingle with balloon pilots and of course, take pictures, lots of pictures!
Saturday’s events start early with the spectacular sunrise ascension of 20 hot air balloons as they climb into the morning skies one by one. Festivities continue with balloon races and contests, tethered balloon rides, a vintage car and motorcycle show and much more. Evening brings “The Glow of the Blue Moon” where blue lights and glowing blue beach balls illuminate the field and a popular blues band performs live music. At dusk, approximately 25 hot air balloons inflate, then illuminate allowing for fabulous picture taking.
Admission to the Citrus Classic Balloon Festival is $7 for adults ($10 at gate) and $3 for youths ages 5-14 ($5 at gate). Under 5-years are free.
More Information: Citrus Classic Balloon Festival
18249 East Telegraph Rd., Santa Paula, CA 93060
Dates: Friday July 30th and Saturday July 31st
Hours: July 30, 5pm – 10pm, July 31, 5am – 10pm
Tickets by phone: 805-988-0717 or 805-648-2075
Participating in Mellow Yellow Monday.
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That first picture is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI've seen a few other blogs with balloons - makes me wish we had a festival in our area. I must look into it.
They always give me happy vibes.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, I would like to watch event like that someday.
ReplyDeleteVery colorful balloons. Happy MYM!
ReplyDeleteLiz @ MLC
Cool shots of the hot air balloons! They are so pretty and neat to watch. Happy MYM!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful balloons. Expecialy the first shot with the citrus.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots! We missed our Air balloon festival here in MI ^_^
ReplyDeleteMYM~Duck
excellent series, i love the last shot!
ReplyDeleteI love to watch them ! and these are so colorful !
ReplyDeleteGayle those are beautiful and this goes on my travel wish list! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteballoon festival—
ReplyDeletelike a thousand cranes they rise,
gliding through the air
Yellow Taxi to Adventure
I love hot air balloons festival. They are so colorful and fun!
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun!
ReplyDeleteLinsday