It is New Year’s Eve. As we bid a (not so) fond farewell to 2020, we still find ourselves dealing with a global pandemic. And its repercussions appear to extend into 2021. Specifically, it affects our beloved annual Havasu BalloonFest. Initially, organizers canceled the festival entirely. However, they managed to make a few changes to allow for the CDC’s public safety guidelines. The 2021 Havasu Balloon Festival will take place with a few changes.
2021 Havasu Balloon Festival & Fair
5K Run/Walk
Registration starts at 7 am sharp on Saturday, January 16th. First, park your vehicle in the lot located directly across from Sam’s Beachcomber RV Resort (555 Beachcomber Blvd). Then, to accommodate social distancing, organizers plan on staggering the start times for participants. The first batch of run/walkers at the Island Trail at SARA Park begins at 8 am. While not a timed event, everyone must finish by 10 am.
Unfortunately, spectators are a “no-no” this year. Only participants allowed on-site. Bring your quarantine pod with you and run or walk together. No age limit. It costs $35 per person or $129 for a family of four (two adults, two children). A group of six people (all adults or a mixture of kids and adults) pays $180 total. Pre-register online here. If you wait until the day of the event to register, the cost per person goes up to $40.
Night Glow & Family Movie Night
Return to the SARA Park Rodeo Grounds later that day for the 2021 Havasu Balloon Festival’s Night Glow. If you have never seen one of these take place, you really need to be there for this one. It truly is a sight to behold. First come/first served parking begins at 4:45 pm. Organizers charge a $20 per vehicle fee no matter how many people you pack inside. Balloons begin their glow up at 6 pm as long as the weather allows. At 7 pm, enjoy a special screening of Disney’s “Up”. You may bring your own food and drinks. But please keep close to your vehicle. Lawn chairs and blankets are highly recommended for your comfort.
Golf Tournament
On Sunday, January 17th, the 2021 Havasu Balloon Festival concludes with a golf tournament at the Refuge Golf Center. The tournament follows a four-person team scramble format, with a shotgun start at 12 pm. Your $100 registration fee includes green fees for one player, one golf cart (two people per cart), practice balls, and a goodie bag. Register online here.
Happy New Year to one and all!
Sunstone Realty Professionals, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lake Havasu City, AZ