Snowmass, Colo., (September 6, 2017) – The weekend of September 8^th-10^th celebrates community, with the return of the 42^nd Annual Snowmass Balloon Festival all weekend long, in addition to the debut of a brand-new Snowmass event, Septemberfest, on Saturday, September 9^th.

Snowmass Balloon Festival

The 42^nd Annual Snowmass Balloon Festival is one of the highest-altitude hot air balloon events in the country. Over the course of three days, 30+ pilots compete in challenges and races, launching from Snowmass Town Park each morning.

• Friday, September 8^th – Pilots compete in the Carter Memorial Colorado Rat Race. Guests can watch from the ground as 30+ balloons rise into the sky, with 15 of the most seasoned pilots racing to see who can fly the farthest down valley in three hours. The remaining balloons fly over Snowmass and the Brush Creek Valley beginning at 6:50 a.m. For the best views, head to Snowmass Town Park starting at 6:30 a.m.
• Saturday, September 9^th – The SnowMASS Ascension & X-Marks the Spot – Target Competition kicks off at 7:00 a.m. Pilots maneuver their balloon as close as they can to two different targets above the Snowmass Golf Course. Following the competition, balloons float high above Snowmass. For the best views, head to Snowmass Town Park at 7:00 a.m. Beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Snowmass Town Park, the Kids’ Elevation Station features activities for kids, including a free bouncy house, face painting, and more.
• Sunday, September 10^th – The Snowmass Ascension and Balloon Dance – Team Competition occurs from 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Pilots compete in pairs to see who can hold one end of flagging tape the longest. After the competition, balloons float high in the sky around Snowmass. For the best views, head to Snowmass Town Park at 7:00 a.m. Beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Snowmass Town Park, the Kids’ Elevation Station returns.

All Snowmass Balloon Festival events are free and open to all ages. All daytime events take place at Snowmass Town Park, with free parking in the Town Park Station lot.

Septemberfest

Debuting on Saturday, September 9^th, Septemberfest brings together the Roaring Fork Valley community in celebration of all things Snowmass from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Located in Snowmass Base Village, the event features wine & sake tastings; food tastings from local restaurants including Base Camp Bar & Grill, Slice, Sake, The Artisan, Mountain Bayou, and Big Hoss; music by DJ Ginger starting at 5:00 p.m.; kids’ activities including a dessert table, cotton candy stand, bounce house, face painters, and a petting zoo; Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Center learning station; local vendors & artisans including a Viceroy Spa massage station, pottery from Small Flower, photography from Be the Xperience, apparel from EnJay Boutique, local jewelers, tasty finds from Woody Creek Distillers, Roaring Fork Spice Company; and more.

The event features a demonstration of a bionic exoskeleton suit by Bridging Bionics, as well as a silent auction and raffle to support the Bridging Bionics Foundation. Bridging Bionics is a public charitable organization, whose mission is to bridge mobility and capability through the use of bionic technology. Septemberfest is free and open to all ages, with cash donations accepted in support of the Bridging Bionics Foundation.

Snowmass Balloon Festival Balloon Glow + ‘90s Night Glow Show

In conjunction with the 42^nd Annual Snowmass Balloon Festival and Septemberfest, the 2017 Balloon Glow + Glow Show brings a special night of celebration and fun to Snowmass with a 90’s themed evening on Saturday, September 9^th on the Base Village Events Lawn. Live performers and a DJ kick off the evening at 7:15 p.m., followed by a 90s themed concert by the band Nevermind the 90s at 8:00 p.m. Balloons light up across Base Village and Fanny Hill throughout the festivities. 90s attire is encouraged.

For additional information please visit https://www.gosnowmass.com/events

About Snowmass, Colorado – A renowned winter playground and vibrant mountain community just 8 miles from downtown Aspen, Snowmass consistently ranks as one of the best ski areas in the world. In addition to unmatched natural beauty and over 300 sunny days a year, Snowmass Ski Resort offers guests 3,332 acres of multi-level terrain and boasts the second largest vertical drop in the United States. 95% ski-in/ski-out lodging, 37 restaurants, numerous shops and boutiques, a bounty of off-piste activities, and a friendly, small town feel beckon visitors year-round. For more information and a complete calendar of events and activities, please visit: www.gosnowmass.com.

Snowmass Tourism Media Contact: Sara Stookey, Public Relations Coordinator, Snowmass Tourism, 970-922-2285 or [email protected].

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