Balloons, colors, majestic box canyon….oh my! What a stunning array of beauty visits Telluride, CO the first weekend of June each year. This was the festivals 29th year here!
The Telluride Balloon Festival is SURE to impress kids, adults, pets…..everyone. I could not believe my eyes at the splendor. Of course my camera was at the ready to share the fun with you.
Are ya ready for lots ‘n lots of photos? Here goes….enjoy!
One of the best things about really living full time in Telluride, CO is that I get to go to all the festivals.
Used to be I would be only able to attend a few….as soon as I was about to leave town another great festival was on the calendar.
Such was the case with this magical Hot Air Balloon Festival. Usually, I would wait all year for my favorite festival, Mountain Film (Memorial Day weekend) & have to leave right before the balloons took flight over town.
It was always torture to leave my favorite place on Earth.
Not this year!
I am always up bright and early so it was no problem to head down to Town Park by 6:30am.
All the balloons are positioned around the park….ready to be blown up.
The balloon inflation is awesome!
 The fire and sounds as they inflate are spectacular.
They all come to life before your very eyes. Everyone stands in awe!
Once the balloons are filled with air they are taken to the baseball field.
They catch wind and take flight over our beautiful town.
This goofy balloon was one of my favorites.
That grin is hilarious! It was quite the character floating above town…
It’s amazing watching them pass right above our historic mining town. Notice the moon in these photos?
Another amazing sight!
People sipping coffee on their balconies and porches get quite the colorful, wake-up surprise!
Some of the balloons drift very close to the buildings.
They are all different shapes and sizes. Each one awe inspiring!
As a photographer I felt so honored to have the privilege to photograph them.
After the balloons leave town they float towards the Valley Floor.
Some balloons get detoured….
See that paraglider in the top left corner?
That person must have had quite the view! A different perspective…..that’s for certain!
The balloons are deflated in the Valley Floor.
But great news…..They come back to visit us in the evening!
At 8pm Telluriders line the streets to watch the tethered balloon inflation.
As the sun sets the balloons start to glow….
Together as a community we all oogle, chit chat and feel grateful to live in such a special place.
Have you ever been to a balloon festival?
Hope to see you some year at the Telluride Balloon Festival!
Related Links
- Friends of the Valley Floor
- Telluride Balloon Festival Facebook
- Telluride Balloon Festival Website
- Visit Telluride
Simply beautiful
Very Cool Marla, I wish my girls could see this in person!
It’s total magic for adults and kiddos!
Gorgeous, fun photos Marla!! Looks like an amazing event!
Thanks Amanda! You would LOVE this!
Gorgeous skies and stunning pictures!
Cheers,
Rosa
Gorgeous, I’m always blown away by how blue the sky is in CO!
Sooooooo blue….on most days!
Gorgeous, Marla! When we lived in our first house in San Diego after moving here, it was overlooking a canyon and we saw tons of balloons, all the time. This post reminds me of that & I love it!
That is amazing Averie! Bet is was a fun surprise when outside sipping the morning coffee!
I want to move to Telluride so so badly 😀
Kiran….it was my dream to move here since ’03. Best thing was to make it a reality!!
Wow!!! This festival is gorgeous. Looking at your vivid pictures was almost like being there. I’ll finally put my feet in Colorado next month. Vacation awaits for me. I still hope to see the hot air balloon festival in Steam Boat Springs.
Congrats on planning a trip to CO Denise!! You guys will love it here 🙂
Gorgeous! You live in such a “magical” city!
So…I’ve been way, way behind on all of the blogs that I follow. I started following your blog quite awhile back, and now that I have revisited I’m feeling sloooooow that I’ve just made the connection that you are the Marla at church! I love your photography and how you make food look so beautiful. 🙂 I saw you out there taking pics of the balloons. It really is one of my favorite weekends of the year in Telluride.
Hi Lisa….so glad you stopped by again for a visit!! Let’s chat next time I see ya at the chapel. I should be there tomorrow 🙂
This looks amazing. Thank you so much for posting so many awesome and colorful photos!
Thanks Peggy….always tricky to edit so many shots. Think this tells the story though!
You really captured some beautiful photos! I bet this was so fun 🙂