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?
Amazing photos. I would also love to ride in a hot air balloon one of these days 🙂
Right? I’ve got to figure out how to make that happen!
Our town has one on Memorial day…. and at our old house they floated right over the top. We’d just go sit on the roof!
Whoa! All of that is so cool. especially the part about sitting on your roof! I’ve never done something like that before!!!
lovely pictures! we are going to a balloon festival next month!! i’ve always wanted to ride in one…but don’t think i’d be brave enough if the time came! haha!
YAY! I love these festivals! Enjoy it!!!
What beautiful and dreamy photos! And yes I love community events too! In my hometown we always do a labor day picnic and I definitely miss it!
Rae | Love from Berlin
That is so fun! You’ll just have to find new traditions where you live now!!!
Riding in a hot air balloon is definitely on my to-do list (it will take me a decade to convince my husband to join me, though)! I’ve loved these pictures since I first saw them on Instagram. What a fun local event! – Jenny
YAY! I know – it is so fun! I’m sure you can convince him 😉
These are so pretty! I LOVE hot air balloons! They are just so whimsical and freeing!
I know right!?? Oh, I love them so!
They have this here in Utah too and I never know when it is! I need to get it on the calendar! the photos are gorgeous!
Girl! You do need to add it to your calendar! It is so fun!
That first photo is insanely gorgeous! We are hoping to go back to Albuquerque next weekend for their international balloon fiesta. I haven’t been in over 6 years!
Oh! That will be so fun! I’ve always wanted to go to that one!
Beautiful!!! I’ve been in a hot air balloon but have actually never seen multiple balloons in the sky! Love your photos and community events like this.
Oh man! That is so cool! When did you ride in a hot air balloon???!!?
Actually twice! Once in the Serengeti (Tanzania) and once in Utah (Canyonlands)! Both absolutely incredible.
Wow! Sounds like an absolutely fabulous event! <3
It is so beautiful and fun!!!