“Love is in the Air” for Valentine’s Day Weekend at the 2nd Annual Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival
The Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival, presented by Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa, celebrates Valentine’s Day with “Love is in the Air” on Friday, February 12; Saturday, February 13; and Sunday, February 14, 2016.
The festival will bring thirty hot air balloons from across the country to the Coachella Valley for a kaleidoscope of color, art, sound and enjoyment. The festival kicks-off on Friday morning for the “Hot Air Balloon Breakfast & Race” at Big League Dreams Sports Park (BLD), 33700 Date Palm Drive, where attendees can enjoy an American breakfast while watching the balloons inflate on three ball fields at 6 a.m. and then launch and race across the Valley shortly after 7 a.m. Tickets for the breakfast and balloon race are $10 plus processing and are available at www.HotAirBalloonFest.com or at the door.
On Saturday and Sunday mornings, Fantasy Balloon Flights will offer tethered balloon rides in Downtown Cathedral City, 68510 East Palm Canyon Drive beginning at 7:00 am. Attendees may purchase the rides onsite for $25 for adults, $20 for kids ages 5 -12 years, and free for children aged 5 years and under with an adult ticket purchase.
Throughout the day in Downtown Cathedral City, festival attendees can browse through the art show by West Coast Artists, dine at the festival’s restaurant row featuring a great selection of gourmet food trucks, listen to LIVE local bands on the Main Stage, partake in the beer and wine garden, and enjoy an auto display. Other daytime festival activities include a Kid Zone with multiple bounce houses, games, face painters, and themed characters; as well as a bridal fashion show on Saturday at 4 pm.
Couples or groups of friends wanting to share a wonderful Valentine dining experience should get reservations now for the outdoor Sunset Wine Dinner on Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m. in Civic Center Plaza. Guests will enjoy a 3-course dinner prepared by Westin Mission Hills’ chefs and paired to wine while listening to local favorite, Avenida Band. Adjacent to the dinner will be the picturesque beauty of the sunset behind the inflation of colorful hot air balloons. Tickets are available at www.HotAirBalloonFest.com.
Saturday and Sunday evenings also provide great family entertainment including the free balloon glow to music from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. A VIP Viewing Section is available for the Balloon Glow for $10 and includes a complimentary glass of champagne or sparkling cider. Tickets are available online at www.HotAirBalloonFest.com or at the door.
On Saturday evening following the balloon glow, attendees can stay for a free replay of Disney Pixar’s movie, “UP” at 7:30 pm at the Festival Lawn. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. If a movie is not your passion, adults 21 and older may enjoy a beer and wine garden with live music in Civic Center Plaza from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm with the sounds of some great local bands.
The festival offers free admission and free general parking. Limited, VIP parking is available for $7 at www.HotAirBalloonFest.com.
Official sponsors include Fantasy Balloon Flights; KMIR (NBC), KPSE (My TV); Cathedral City Auto Center; AmeriGas; Volkswagen of Palm Springs; Univision; UniMás; Jose 94.7 FM; LaTricolor 103.5 FM; El Informador del Valle Newspaper; Burke, Williams, & Sorensen LLC; Lamar Outdoor; Bontá Restaurant & Bar; Zobö & Meester’s Restaurant; Mely’s Decorations; Revivals; Renova Solar; Cl Designer Studio; American Red Cross; 7-Up; Coachella Valley Brewing Company; D&D Carpet; Leese-Fitch Wines; Big League Dreams Sports Park; William Hill Estate Winery; La Quinta Brewing Company; Applebee’s; and the City of Cathedral City.
For all festival information, go to www.HotAirBalloonFest.com or www.DiscoverCathedralCity.com.
