Balloon Launches 7:30 AM Daily at Ruth Powell School
The 5th Annual Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza was a spectacular celebration of color, community, and flight. Here are the reels from the event. With 20 hot air balloons from across the United States filling the skies, each day offered unforgettable moments for spectators and participants alike. From sunrise launches to evening glows, the event brought joy and wonder to the Gila Valley. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of the sponsors whose support made this event possible, and special thanks to the City of Safford and Graham Greenlee United Way for their generous grants that helped lift this celebration to new heights.
Day 1
Day 2
Home Depot Glow
Day 3
Glow Show
Day 4
Listen to Greg & Susan's Voice of the Valley Podcast For 2025/2026.
Balloon Glows 6 - 7 PM: Tues. Home Depot Candle Stick and Wed. Super Glow Show Party at Safford Middle School
Come meet our pilots and see the balloons up close.
TUESDAY CANDLE STICK & BALLOON GLOW:
Tuesday 6 PM to 7 PM Home Depot Parking Lot
COOL HOME DEPOT PRIZES
WEDNSEDAY NIGHT NEW YEAR"S EVE
SUPER GLOW SHOW PARTY & BALLOON GLOW:
Tething starts at 5:00 PM Glow Party at 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Safford Middle School Football Field
FREE TETHER RIDES FOR KIDS
FREE GLOW TOYS FOR KID
FOOD VENDORS
Join the Duck Hunt for a Chance to Win A Hot Air Balloon Ride!
Find a Duck in the following locations and enter a drawing for a FREE HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE!
Boulevard Glass, Chamber of Commerce, Copper and Cotton, Edward Jones 5th Street, 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, Matlock Gas, Pollock's and Tierra Antigua Safford.
Terms: Must be at least 18 years old to participate. Flight is weather dependent and will be assigned during the event only (Dec 29-Jan 1). Only one entry per person per store. Winner will be drawn Wednesday, December 27, 2025 and contacted by phone. Winner may bring one additional passenger.
WE NEED CREW! Want another chance to fly? Sign up to crew and your might be invited to fly. As crew, you help set up the balloon, follow the balloon as it flies, and help pack it up. You don't need any experience, just be dependable and able to follow directions. Please sign up today by visiting gilavalleyballoons.com.
Become a Sponsor!
Going on our 6th year, the Gila Valley New Year's Balloon Extravaganza has become a tradition to many in our community. But we can't bring this FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY way to celebrate New Year's to the Gila Valley without the generous support of our sponsors.
Please consider becoming a sponsor to help us keep this event going. Go to Sponsor Signup or email info@gilavalleyballoons.com or contact Greg Lindsey at 928-965-6970. If you are a previous sponsor, simply enter your mobile number and verify the information.
Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza is now an Official Nonprofit Organization
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our goals are to educate people about hot air ballooning, promote tourism to the Gila Valley, and provide FREE, family-friendly activities involving hot air balloons. Gila Valley Balloons can accept tax-deductible donations or sponsorships for the Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza. Sponsors receive passenger flights during the event. Funds received in our 501(c)(3) are used to host the Extravaganza, but also throughout the year allowing us to take balloons to schools, educational events, and community events.
Experience Crewing for a Hot Air Balloon and You Might Take a Flight!
The adventure starts at 6:45 AM in the Lafe Nelson School Gym. Begin by signing up as a new crew person or use your user/password or mobile number to log in.
Crew will be entered into a drawing to win free balloon rides and will receive a cool balloon t-shirt.
REQUIREMENTS to CREW:
No Experience Necessary
Be Responsible, Cooperative and Able to Follow Directions
Be Physically Able to Help with Holding Balloon Fabric
AZ Air Ventures and the Duckling Crew created the Gila Valley New Year's Balloon Extravaganza as a free event for our community to enjoy. It is only through the generous support of our sponsors that we are able to bring these majestic balloons to the Gila Valley. Each balloon we bring in is based on of our local businesses generously giving financial support to make this event happen. Please help us thank our sponsors.
The Gila Valley New Year's Balloon Extravaganza has three goals--Bring tourism to the Gila Valley, offer families a FREE, family-friendly way to celebrate New Year's, and educate people about the sport of hot air ballooning. With the generous support of sponsors, we bring 25 majestic hot air balloons to the Gila Valley.
As a non-profit organization, sponsors can now choose to take a full tax deduction in exchange for their sponsorship or receive passenger flight certificates to fly during the event. Sponsorships include either tax donations or hot air balloon flights over the Gila Valley during the Extravaganza (weather permitting). All sponsorships include media promotions throughout the year including social media, website, and print, and payment options including monthly billing.
To become a sponsor for the 2025-2026 event, go to Sponsor Signup or email info@gilavalleyballoons.com or contact Greg Lindsey at 928-965-6970. If you are a previous sponsor, simply enter your mobile number and verify the information.
AZ Air Ventures, LLC 5th Year as a Sponsor
Barney Trucking, Inc. 3rd Year as a Sponsor
City of Safford 4th Year as a Sponsor
Comfort Inn Thatcher 4th Year as a Sponsor
Desert Bloom Dentistry 2nd Year as a Sponsor
Desert Cross Veterinary Hospital 1st Year as a Sponsor
Dec. 29, 2025 Thru Jan. 1, 2026
