Snowmass Balloon Festival, celebrating its 50th anniversary September 12-14, will look a little different this year. With fire restrictions in place in Pitkin County, balloons will remain grounded for this year’s festival unless conditions improve. Instead, they will do a static inflate, meaning balloons will still inflate but will not leave the ground.

The festival kicks off with Friday evening’s Night Glow, which remains unchanged and will light up the valley from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Guests are invited to stroll among the glowing, tethered balloons set against the mountain backdrop, while enjoying concessions and complimentary glow items. Saturday and Sunday mornings, from 7:00 am and until 9:00 am, will feature a festival atmosphere with 15 hot balloons inflating each morning.