The high point of the month-long Riverton Rendezvous festival is the colorful and dramatic hot-air balloon rally. The height of the hot-air balloon rally actually occurs on the ground: the balloon glow.

As the night of Saturday, July 15, grows darker, the balloons will stand up in the soccer fields and their burners lit. They will grow brighter and brighter on the ground as the sky sinks into darkness. The glow will start at 8:30 p.m at the Central Wyoming College soccer fields, the same location as the rest of the Riverton Rendezvous Balloon Rally.

During the days of July 14–16, the CWC soccer field will be covered with 21 colorful and fun-shaped hot air balloons for the 37th Riverton Rendezvous Balloon Rally. One balloon will be in the field giving free tethered rides to the public.

“Whether you are on the ground or in a balloon, the sight of balloons inflating and launching is always amazing and beautiful! Every balloon has such dramatic colors and designs that it makes a photographer’s dream come true to see these majestic aerostats take flight,” said Riverton balloon pilot Pat Newlin.

The event starts at 6 a.m. each day, but you won’t regret heeding the alarm.

“It definitely is worth getting up early to see the magic unfolding on the launch field,” promised Newlin.

The Riverton Balloon Rally is part of the larger Riverton Rendezvous month. The city-wide celebrations include a model airplane fly-in, Rails to Trails river walk with music, a sidewalk art contest, a celebrity speaker, pancake breakfasts, car and bike shows, fireworks and a balloon rally. Review the full schedule of events here, then meet us in Riverton for the annual Riverton Rendezvous.

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