Informal balloon festival
Susan and Greg Lindsey of AZ Air Ventures invited a group of hot air balloon friends to Safford to bring in 2021 and spend four days in the air. All in all, seven pilots wowed residents all over the Gila Valley. The Lindseys hope that one day there will be a balloon festival held annually in the Valley.

The Lindseys personally designed The Floating Awaysis. Every feature signifies something personal to them. For example, the sunrise and sunset show how much they appreciate every day, the palm trees their love of travel and the cactus the tenacity Susan showed while battling cancer.
- Photo by Kim Smith Eastern Arizona Courier

Madison Peterson, 16, of Safford on her first hot air balloon trip Jan. 1, 2021. "She was a little afraid to get into the balloon at first, but one of her New Year’s resolutions was to face her fears and do hard things. She was glad she did because she had a wonderful time," said her mom, Caryn.
- Photo by Kim Smith Eastern Arizona Courier

Safford resident Karen Coppola experienced her first hot air balloon ride Jan. 2 with husband, Brian. "Flying was the most peaceful, surreal activity we’ve ever done. What a way to start out 2021. We thought it would be scary but it wasn’t at all," she said afterward.
- Photo by Bobby Joe Smith Special to The Eastern Arizona Courier

Greg and Susan Lindsey have held a couple of "glow events" lately. They used their burners to light up The Floating Awaysis and Just Ducky to the delight of passersby, but remained on the ground.
- Photo by Bobby Joe Smith Special to The Eastern Arizona Courier
More like this...
The Lindseys personally designed The Floating Awaysis. Every feature signifies something personal to them. For example, the sunrise and sunset show how much they appreciate every day, the palm trees their love of travel and the cactus the tenacity Susan showed while battling cancer.
- Photo by Kim Smith Eastern Arizona Courier
Madison Peterson, 16, of Safford on her first hot air balloon trip Jan. 1, 2021. "She was a little afraid to get into the balloon at first, but one of her New Year’s resolutions was to face her fears and do hard things. She was glad she did because she had a wonderful time," said her mom, Caryn.
- Photo by Kim Smith Eastern Arizona Courier
Safford resident Karen Coppola experienced her first hot air balloon ride Jan. 2 with husband, Brian. "Flying was the most peaceful, surreal activity we’ve ever done. What a way to start out 2021. We thought it would be scary but it wasn’t at all," she said afterward.
- Photo by Bobby Joe Smith Special to The Eastern Arizona Courier
More like this...
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