Dec. 31, 2026 Thru Jan. 3, 2027
Safford, AZ
Weather Permitting!

Countdown to Liftoff!
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--Hours
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Free Admission for All Get Up Close to the Magic! Watch the balloons inflate, launch and glow

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🎈 Meet One of Our Pilots
Silver LiningPaul Olguin
Paul Olguin
flying Silver Lining
Commercial Pilot📍 Chandler , AZ3rd year with us90,000 ft³Kubicek
🎈 The Pilot

Paul and his wife Angela Olguin have been married for over 35 years and have four adult children, two grandchildren, and two dogs. They moved from ABQ NM to Chandler AZ in 1997. Paul started crewing and flying hot air balloons in Albuquerque in 1991. He became a private pilot January on 2014 and a commercial pilot in June on 2015. Paul has flown both small sports balloons and larger 16+-passenger 400,000 cubic feet ride balloons. He has flow balloons in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, California, and Texas.

☁ The Balloon

Silver Lining was built by Kubicek Balloons in Brno Czech Republic in 2017. She is black, silver, yellow, and multiple shades of blue on a white swirl pattern. She has a purple cancer ribbon on her parachute top to honor and remember all those we have lost to cancer or who are cancer survivors, and their caregivers.

Meet all our pilots & balloons →
Balloon Launches 7:30 AM Daily at Ruth Powell School

 

 




Relive the Magic
The 7th Annual Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza Took Flight!
25
Hot Air Balloons
7th
Year in the Sky
1
Amazing Community

What a celebration! Twenty-five hot air balloons from across the United States filled the skies over the Gila Valley, painting the morning in every color imaginable. From the first burner roar at sunrise to the soft, glowing balloons lighting up the night, every day delivered moments our spectators and pilots will never forget.

Whether you were there on the field or watching the skies from your backyard, you were part of something special. And if you missed it—or just want to feel it all over again— the reels below bring every launch and every glow right back to you.

Thank you! None of this happens without our incredible sponsors , whose support makes the Extravaganza possible year after year. A special thank-you goes to the City of Safford for their generous grant that helped lift this celebration to new heights.
▼ Watch the Reels from Every Day ▼
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.

Click here to listen to podcast.



Thursday 12/31/26 Super Glow Show Party Safford Middle School and Friday Home Depot Candlestick Glow.
✨ TWO NIGHTS OF BALLOON GLOWS ✨

Come meet our pilots and see the balloons up close!

🎆 THURSDAY · NEW YEAR'S EVE · 12/31/26
Super Glow Show Party & Balloon Glow
🕐 Tethering starts at 5:00 PM 🎈 Glow Party 6:00 – 7:00 PM
📍 Safford Middle School Football Field
⭐ FREE tether rides for kids
⭐ FREE glow toys for kids
🍔 Food vendors
🕯 FRIDAY · NEW YEAR'S DAY · 1/1/27
Home Depot Candlestick & Balloon Glow
🕐 6:00 – 7:00 PM
📍 Home Depot Parking Lot
🎁 Cool Home Depot prizes



Become a Sponsor!
   
🎈 OUR 7TH 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.

Help keep the balloons flying!
Please consider becoming a sponsor to help us keep this event going.
🌟 Become a Sponsor
Questions? We'd love to hear from you:
👋 Sponsored with us before? On the Sponsor Signup page, simply enter your mobile number and verify your information.



Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza is now an Official Nonprofit Organization
🏆 OFFICIAL 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT
Our Goals
🎓
Educate people about hot air ballooning
🏜
Promote tourism to the Gila Valley
🎈
Provide FREE, family-friendly balloon activities
💛 Support Gila Valley Balloons
We can accept tax-deductible donations or sponsorships for the Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza. Sponsors receive passenger flights during the event!
Where your support goes
✔ Hosting the Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza
✔ Taking balloons to schools all year long
✔ Educational and community events



Experience Crewing for a Hot Air Balloon and You Might Take a Flight!
Crew snapshot Balloon crew in action
Free crew t-shirt
👕 FREE Crew T-Shirt!
🎈 Click Here to Register to Crew!
New crew: sign up in a minute. Crewed before? Log in with your e-mail and password or your mobile number.
☀ THE ADVENTURE STARTS AT

6:45 AM Dec 31 thru Jan 3
Pending Weather.   Check Website Daily for Updates.  

📍 Lafe Nelson School Gym.  Park in Ruth Powell Parking Lot
🎁 Crew Perks
🎈 Entered into a drawing to win free balloon rides
👕 A cool balloon t-shirt for every crew member
✅ Requirements to Crew
✔ No experience necessary
✔ Be responsible, cooperative and able to follow directions
✔ Be physically able to help hold balloon fabric







🎬 THANK YOU, SPONSORS!
See Our Sponsors' Commercials
Tap a sponsor to play their commercial.
▶ Now playing: Tom and Tracy Pursley Realtors
Tierra Antigua
▶Edward Jones ▶Ice King ▶Pollock's Western Outfitters ▶Tom and Tracy Pursley Realtors
Tierra Antigua

Generous Support of our Sponsors for 2026/2027...


Extravaganza is the only FREE, family-friendly balloon rally in the state of Arizona and it is ONLY possible through the generous support of our sponsors.

Because we are a non-profit organzation, sponsors choose to receive passenger flights during the event or they can use their donation as a tax deduction. All sponsors receive flights during the event, media promotions throughout the year through social media and Internet websites, and print media including banners on balloon baskets and a banner on the fence at the event. 

To become a sponsor for the 2026-2027 event, go to Sponsor Signup or email info@GilaValleyBalloons.com. You can also contact Greg Lindsey at 928-965-6970. Sponsors from previous years can enter your mobile number and verify your information.

 

 

AZ Air Ventures, LLC
6th Year as a Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
AZ Air Ventures, LLC
  
Barney Trucking, Inc.
4th Year as a Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Barney Trucking, Inc.
  
City of Safford
5th Year as a Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
City of Safford


 



Comfort Inn Thatcher
5th Year as a Sponsor
Comfort Inn Thatcher
  
Desert Bloom Dentistry
3rd Year as a Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Desert Bloom Dentistry
  
Edward Jones
5th Year as a Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
▶ See Their Commercial...
Edward Jones


 



Freedom Floor Covering Plus
2nd Year as a Sponsor
Copper Sponsor
Freedom Floor Covering Plus
  
Gila Valley Embroidery
4th Year as a Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Gila Valley Embroidery
  
Graham County Board of Supervisors
4th Year as a Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Graham County Board of Supervisors


 



Home Depot
4th Year as a Sponsor
Home Depot
  
Ice King
6th Year as a Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
▶ See Their Commercial...
Ice King
  
Kempton Chevrolet
5th Year as a Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Kempton Chevrolet


 



Life Untethered
2nd Year as a Sponsor
Life Untethered
  
Matlock Gas
6th Year as a Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Matlock Gas
  
Pollock's Western Outfitters
3rd Year as a Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
▶ See Their Commercial...
Pollock


 



Relax Tax and Accounting Service
4th Year as a Sponsor
Relax Tax and Accounting Service
  
Sparklight
3rd Year as a Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Sparklight
  
Suburban Propane
3rd Year as a Sponsor
Suburban Propane


 



Sundt Construction
3rd Year as a Sponsor
Copper Sponsor
Sundt Construction
  
Tom and Tracy Pursley Realtors
Tierra Antigua
6th Year as a Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
▶ See Their Commercial...
Tom and Tracy Pursley Realtors<br>Tierra Antigua
  
Tri-County Materials
5th Year as a Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Tri-County Materials


 



Velocity Builders
2nd Year as a Sponsor
Copper Sponsor
Velocity Builders
  
Vining Funeral Home
5th Year as a Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Vining Funeral Home
  
Vista Recycling
4th Year as a Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Vista Recycling


 

Gila Valley Balloon Extravaganza
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