Photo Gallery sponsored by Anderson Toyota
The Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair presented by Anderson Toyota soared in Lake Havasu City over the weekend.
Some may think the event is just about seeing pretty hot air balloons in the sky, but truth be told, there is a lot more that goes into this event behind the scenes to make it happen.
According to Volunteer Chairperson Rick Kerber, the Havasu Balloon Festival had more than 1,100 volunteers working day and night.
The event spanned over four days and volunteers worked 1,973 shifts. Some of these shifts included traffic control, ground balloon crew, VIP tent, carnival, merchandise tent, beer garden, pilot tent, pilot breakfast, logistics, trash pickup, Balloon Meister, vendors, night glow tent, field events, volunteer tent, ticket booth, main stage, Zebras, balloon safety officials, kids corner, off road vehicles for balloon landings, boat safety patrol, marketing, shuttles, tethered rides, 5k/10k Fun Run; just to name a few.
Volunteers of the Balloon Festival help inflate balloons for the afternoon ascension Thursday. Danette Christine/RiverScene Magazine
Security was provided by DSM events.
Seventy volunteers were high school students that belong to clubs from Telesis and Lake Havasu High School.
“At least 50 chairs and co chairs sit on the Balloon Festival committee that work around the clock day and night putting in many hours behind the scenes,” Kerber said.
Volunteers work the Information Booth at the Havasu Balloon Festival. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
“I would like to personally think our hundreds and hundreds of volunteers for doing any outstanding job and making the 2024 balloon festival one of the most successful events in our 13-year history. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and look forward to seeing you all in 2025,” festival director Steve Ticknor said.
The Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair is hosted by the Lake Havasu, Sunrise, and London Bridge Rotary Clubs as well as Kiwanis volunteer clubs.
A pizza and ice cream social is set for March 3 to thank all of the volunteers for their hard work.
Volunteers assist at the ticket booth Friday during the the Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Volunteers assist with the paper balloons at the Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair. Tyanna Wilson/RiverScene
Havasu Balloon Festival committee chair and co-chair volunteers pose for a photo during one of their meetings. RSM Staff
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Volunteers of the Balloon Festival help to inflate balloons for the afternoon ascension on Thursday 1-18-2024 Danette Christine/RiverScene Magazine
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Once again a beautiful event … the weather co-operated … sorta. The evening “glow up” is such a fabulous site … the early morning flight was a big surprise, landing a balloon right outside my bedroom! My Yorkie nearly had a
heart attack. All in all a thrill to see … congratulations on the quality event!
Thank you, Nancy Dominguez and all others in the Balloon Festival administration committee for your tireless effort in making it the best that it could be. I think the wonderful outcome speaks for itself. Bravo!