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PHOTOS: Colors fill the sky at 2019 Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival


John F. Russell & Katie Berning
Steamboat Pilot & Today
Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival July 13, 2019Balloons float down the Yampa Valley at the Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 13, 2019.
Katie Berning

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The 2019 Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival Balloon Launch at Bald Eagle Lake on Saturday morning went off with flying colors.

Events continue Saturday evening with the Night Glow at 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Howelsen Hill, Howelsen Parkway, and another Balloon Launch at 6 a.m. Sunday at Bald Eagle Lake.

For tips to park, get around Steamboat and more information about the Balloon Festival, visit hotairballoonrodeo.com.



Share your photos and videos by using the hashtag #SteamboatBalloonFest or emailing them to share@SteamboatPilot.com.

Thousands of people came out to watch Saturday night’s concert and the Night Glow at the base of Howelsen Hill. Unfortunate Mother Nature didn’t cooperate as winds and rains forced the glow part of the event to be canceled just as the sun started to set. The 38th annual Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival will come to a close Sunday with an early morning launch at Bald Eagle Lake.
John F. Russell
Michelle McDermott holds Graysen McDermott-Cassarini in front of stars and strips of Tm Taylor’s balloon, “Dee IV” during Saturday’s launch of the 2019 Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival.
John F. Russell
Mari Taylor spreads the brightly colored envelope of “Dee IV” hot air balloon prior to Saturday’s launch at the Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival.
John F. Russell
Jon Seay flies “Western Spirit” over the crowd at the Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 13, 2019.
Katie Berning
Balloons add a splash of color to an already scenic Yampa Valley sky Saturday as the 38th annual Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival took flight at Bald Eagle Lake.
John F. Russell
Balloons float high above the Yampa Valley on Saturday as Mark Whiting’s “Big Top” sits on the ground at Bald Eagle Lake during the 2019 Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival.
John F. Russell
Four-year-old Revy Verna had one of the best seats for Saturday’s balloon launch at Bald Eagle Lake as the 2019 Balloon Festival took flight in Steamboat Springs.
John F. Russell
Balloons reflect in Bald Eagle Lake at the Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 13, 2019.
Katie Berning/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Patrick Carter pilots “Colorado High” at the 2019 Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival.
John F. Russell
Blair Kaufman’s Stars & Stripes floats high above Bald Eagle Lake Saturday during the 2019 Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival.
John F. Russell
Mike Bertetto touches “Nerfer” down on Bald Eagle Lake at the Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 13, 2019.
Katie Berning
Wyatt Antkiewicz looked right at home as he takes off from one of the freestyle training jumps and flips through the air that is filled with hot air balloons that were taking off from a nearby field as part of this year’s Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival
John F. Russell
Crowds of people gather around Kent Wolcott’s “Toucan” as the balloon prepares for takeoff at the Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival Saturday at Bald Eagle Lake in Steamboat Springs.
John F. Russell
Balloons float down the Yampa Valley at the Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 13, 2019.
Katie Berning
Balloon’s prepare for launch at the 2019 Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 13.
John F. Russell
“Bear Claw,” piloted by Frank Williams floats above the crowd at Bald Eagle Lake at Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 13, 2019.
Katie Berning
Steve Scheer flies “Margarita,” left, next to Jeff Buesing in “Cloud Hopper” at the Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 13, 2019.
Katie Berning
Balloons float down the Yampa Valley at the Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 13, 2019.
Katie Berning
Mark Devine, lead vocals, and guitarist Jeff LaQuatra of Mr. Majestyk’s 8-Track Revival entertain the large crowd at the base of Howelsen Hill that gathered for Saturday night’s Night Glow. Unfortunately Mother Nature didn’t cooperate as winds and rains forced the glow part of the event to be canceled just as the sun started to set. The 38th annual Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival will come to a close today with an early morning launch at Bald Eagle Lake.
John F. Russell
Tanya Barb listens to Mr. Majestyk’s 8-Track Revival at the base of Howelsen Hill during Saturday’s Night Glow, which was part of the 38th annual Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Festival. The concert went off without a hitch, but gusty weather forced the cancelation of the glow.
John F. Russell

To reach John F. Russell, call 970-871-4209, email jrussell@SteamboatPilot.com or follow him on Twitter @Framp1966.


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