The Mancos Valley Balloon and Arts Festival gets off to a lofty start, Friday, Sept. 26, with a morning balloon launch in Boyle Park at 6:45 a.m.
Organizers expect 11 balloons will launch from the old airport site as well.
Volunteers are still needed. Call 560-0259 for information.
Another launch is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27 from Boyle Park at 6:45 a.m. Tethered rides will also be available in Boyle Park Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting
All day Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Art Festival and Street Fair will take place. There will be music, food and fun for the whole family. Art demonstrations and projects for kids and grown-ups will also be available. A donkey demo will be at Main and Grand.
Local live music will play all day Saturday.
Marilyn Kroeker and her band, Sweet Water Station, are the featured performing artists for the ArtFest & Street Fair to take place during the 10th Annual Balloon Festival. Kroeker is a local favorite in Mancos. Her band is known for its smooth harmonies. Sweet Water Station will play from 2 to 4 p.m. during the Street Fair. Kroeker is a member of the Mancos Valley Arts Council. She has been very busy coordinating the entertainment for Saturday and has lined up several other performers: Nate Mayfield who gives us a little of the classic 40's tunes; Jan Wright on American Indian flute; Linda Malinski-Carter, Andrew and Toni Salleta as well as the Ballet Folklorico from Fort Lewis College.
Starting at 6 p.m., there will be an appreciation dinner for "Pilots & Heroes" with dinner, live entertainment, silent auction and dancing. Tickets $20/each. Available at Visitor Center, 101 E. Bauer, 970-533-7434. Proceeds benefit "Operation Second Chance."
Another launch is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. Sunday morning and balloon glow Sunday night at 7:15 p.m. in Boyle Park.