By Shannon Lukens.
It is balloon week in Moffat County.
The Moffat County Balloon Festival is this coming weekend at Loudy-Simpson Park in Craig. The balloons will fly on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Aug. 2-4 (weather permitting).
They are looking for volunteers to help crew for the balloons particularly on Friday morning, Aug. 2 and on Sunday morning, Aug. 4. If you can help, be at Loudy-Simpson Park in Craig at 5:45 a.m. on Friday and or Sunday for the 6 a.m. pilot briefing. The balloon crew help launch, chase and pack up the balloon. The flight is usually 90 minutes so you will be back at the field in Loudy-Simpson park by 9 a.m. This is a great opportunity to get up close and personal and have fun. The launch field is north of the stage area on the west side of the park.
Normally a majority of the pilots have their own crew but this year a majority do not have crew with them. It usually takes two to four people to crew for a pilot and without this help they cannot fly.
The Moffat County County Balloon is having its 5th annual Carboard Boat Regatta at the pond at Loudy-Simpson Park in Craig on Saturday, Aug. 3. The event is giving away $2,000 total in cash prizes for the following categories: fastest time, best design and the Titanic award for the most spectacular sinking. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m. and the first race will start at 1:30 p.m. For rules and details, go to the Moffat County Hot Air Balloon Festival website.
Also on Saturday, Aug. 3, there are activities throughout the day, starting with the balloon launch and a burrito breakfast.
The Flying Colors 5K is at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, right after the 6:30 a.m. Balloon Rise for the Balloon Festival. The 5K Run/Walk is in Loudy Simpson Park, sponsored by Memorial Regional Health.
The Rubber Ducky Race in Craig is during the Moffat County Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3. It starts at 11 a.m. on the Ranney Street Bridge. The event is hosted by Northwest Colorado Health as a fundraiser to support their hospice program. It’s $10 per duck and you don’t need to be present to win. Tickets are online at NorthwestColoradoHealth.org/RubberDucky
There’s also the Colorado Cruisers car show, kite flying, the Dino Dig, and more activities for the kids.
The Cardboard Regatta is at 1:30 p.m.
Live music starts at noon with the Lost Junction Band, Tucker Rose Band, Stuck on Vinyl, and ending with the Foreigner tribute band “Project Foreigner” at 7:30 p.m.
The day ends with a balloon glow starting at dusk lighting up behind the stage while Project Foreigner plays.
For more information go MCBalloonFestival.com
