By Becky Maxedon

It’s never too early to get pumped up about the Lake Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair.

The event is set for Jan. 19 through 22, 2023, and all those involved are working hard to make sure it goes off without a hitch.

There are some new shaped balloons that are scheduled to make their debut in January.

“Elvis” hot air balloon will be at the Havasu Balloon Festival in 2023. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

According to Balloon Meister Gary Moore, there are currently nine special shapes for the 2023 festival.

“New shapes are Elvis (just added), The Gnome, Armadillo Sheriff, Little Cowboy, Flying Saucer, and returning are Princess Nellie (Pink Elephant), Alicorn the Unicorn, Buster the Dog, and Duma the Cheetah. We also have a few shapes just coming in as regular balloons, Speedy Bird and the Kachina balloon from Gallup, NM.,” Moore said.

Moore said the festival is becoming more of an international event.

There are balloon pilots coming from Canada, two from Belgium flying two of the shaped balloons, and one from the United Kingdom flying Buster the Dog.

Buster the Dog hot air balloon is new to the Havasu Balloon Festival for 2023. Photo Courtesy Balloon Festival and Fair

“We are still working on a balloon from Mexico,” he said.

The 60-plus regular sport balloons are expected from several U. S. states including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New Mexico, California, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Arizona.

The Balloon Festival and Fair is at Lake Havasu State Park.

More details will be available on RiverScene Magazine as the event approaches.

The Flying Saucer hot air balloon is new to the 2023 Havasu Balloon Festival. Photo Courtesy Balloon Festival and Fair

The Little Cowboy hot air balloon is new to the 2023 Havasu Balloon Festival this year. Photo courtesy Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair

Armadillo Sherriff hot air balloon is new to the 2023 Havasu Balloon Festival. Photo courtesy Balloon Festival and Fair

Duma the Cheetah will be returning to the 2023 Havasu Balloon Festival. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Princess Nelly hot air balloon will be returning to the 2023 Havasu Balloon Festival. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

The Gnome will be new to the Havasu Balloon Festival in 2023. Photo Courtesy Balloon Festival and Fair

Alicorn the Unicorn hot air balloon will be returning to the Havasu Balloon Festival in 2023. Samantha Zasadil/RiverScene