I love community events. There is just something about the whole town getting together to experience something all together. Every labor day weekend since I was a little kid, Colorado Springs has hosted a ballooning event – The Labor Day Lift Off. The whole town gathers in the early morning hours to watch hot air balloons fill the sky. I remember going as a little kid – my parents would wake us up while it was still dark and we would pile into the mini van. We would pull sweats on over our shorts because September mornings are super chilly but it doesn’t take long for the world to warm up 20 -30 degrees once the sun is up! We would sit on a blanket with Dunkin’ Donuts and hot coco and point out all of our favorite balloons as they filled up and flew away.
This year my new-to-the-springs best friend and I woke up early to be part of it all. Now that she is a local, she needs to experience all that is local & festive! And I went for nostalgia sake 🙂 We sipped our coffee and giggled about how we stayed up way to late with the boys the night before (I call those giggles sleep deprivation giggles). We walked into the park with swarms of people and pulled out our cameras as the sun began to rise on the city.
There is really nothing else like it – fields filled with balloons inflating and taking off and the skies flooded with beautiful colors – it’s magical! To all my Colorado Springs people out there, this is a must! Make sure you experience this while you can! To all my vacationers out there, add Colorado Springs to your labor day adventure list!
Have you ever been to a balloon festival before? Do you have one in your town or near you? Have you ever ridden in a hot hair balloon?! That is one thing that I would love to do one day!!! What are your favorite local events to attend?
These pictures just make me die ???????? they’re the best! And now I have something else for my bucket list too. ???????? Looks like an ah-mazing time!
Thank you so much! I loved being able to capture all the photos!
the photos with the balloons reflecting on the water are amazing.
Thank you so much! That is my favorite part! They fly over to the lake and dip their baskets in before they fly away!
These photos are gorgeous! You are making me want to visit Colorado Springs. 🙂
I have a special place in my heart for hot air balloons. I grew up in Albuquerque, which is home to the world’s largest hot air balloon festival! I haven’t been to the Balloon Fiesta since I moved away for college, but I’m going with my husband and kids this fall and I am SO excited to share that with them!
YAY! Please come!
And yes, I have always wanted to go to the one in Albuquerque!!!!!
These photos are amazing!
Thanks so much!!!
Here in St. Louis we have something called the Balloon Glow. It was actually last weekend, I think. Friday night all the balloons are illuminated and then Saturday afternoon they race off. They also have lots of booths and fun little things to do like at a carnival. It’s pretty cool. I’ve been once or twice.
http://www.creating-kelsi.com
SO fun! We have the balloon glow at night and then they take off in the morning! I only went to the take off but I want to do both next year 😉
This was one of the most magical mornings of my life. Thanks for helping me experience new Colorado moments. 🙂
You’re welcome. Also you’re welcome to taking beautiful sun flare photos of you! 😉
I love these photos! All of them are so magical! This is definitely an event that I would love to attend!
right?!!? It is so darn lovely!