THINGS TO DO
Glowing balloons light up the night
Celebrate things that glow plump in the night at the annual two-day Salt River Fields Balloon Spooktacular, which kicks off this weekend in Scottsdale.
Celebrate all things Halloween and hot air while experiencing the sight of about 20 glowing hot-air balloons at this year’s Salt River Fields Balloon Spooktacular.
The annual Valley tradition is this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28, at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale.
Games, vendors, a haunted trail, live entertainment, fireworks, trick-or-treating and costume contests make this celebration a little scary but a whole lot of fun.
Without a doubt, the hot-air balloons (from all over the country) take center stage. All the balloons will be inflated and lit but on the ground, allowing attendees to get up close and personal.
“We’ll have some special-shaped balloons that will participate as well as the Re/Max and Chic-fil-A national balloons,” said Chris Bonnell, director of marketing at Salt River Fields.
The balloons will be glowing for more than three hours. They will begin to inflate at sunset, around 5:45 p.m., and remain inflated until they run out of fuel (around 8:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.).
In addition, there will be balloon candy stations where trick-or-treaters can fill their bags with sweets. More than 4,000 pounds of candy will be given away to trick-or-treaters during the two-day event.
Tethered hot-air balloon rides will be available from Rainbow Ryders at the event for an additional fee. The cost is $25 per adult and $15 for children 10 and under.
Rides require a signed waiver and are given on a first-come, first-served basis.
New this year is the Pumpkin Patch Photo Booth Area where families and friends can take pictures with the pumpkins to share on social media.
If you’re the competitive type, don’t forget to dress up in your Halloween best. Costume contests begin at 7 p.m.
each night on the Main Stage. There will be three different categories in this contest: best family/group costume, best child costume and best adult costume. Family/group entries must have two or more people and children must be 12 years old or younger to enter the child costume contest.
“The costume contests are always a huge draw,” Vanessa Clifton, vice president of Aerial Solutions (co-producer of event), said. “People are competitive, and the prizes are great this year.”
Clifton says dressing as cartoon characters from movies is always popular in the family/group category. Though, last year, she says there was a creative group decked out in face paint that made them all look like sugar skulls, a popular icon of the Day of the Dead celebration.
The trick to winning is all about how unique, cute and elaborate the costume is, Clifton added.
“Anyone who wants a shot can participate,” she said. “We try to make it fun and interactive, and all the contestants get to walk across the stage.”
Winners will be selected based on audience applause. One winner from each category will walk away victorious with a trophy, $100 Visa gift card and $25 McDonald’s gift card.
Kids can run off their boundless energy in the free KidsZone, which will have more than 40 games and attractions including bounce houses, slides and an obstacle course.
After all that exercise, you might want a bite to eat. More than a dozen vendors including Tom’s BBQ, Honey Bear’s BBQ and Grandma’s Navajo Frybread will be selling a variety of food. And for those with a sweet tooth (it is Halloween, after all) there will be Cactus Corn, Firehouse Shaved Ice and Sweet Street Mini Donuts.
For those who like to be scared, visit the Spook Trail, an annual favorite that transforms the walkways of Salt River Fields into a ghoulish experience. Manned and created by Saguaro High School students, this trek is not for the squeamish.
Donations to experience the Spook Trail will be accepted and used to support the Saguaro High School choir program.
Live entertainment will be provided both nights by youth bands from local music academy School of Rock. Both nights end with a Spooktacular fireworks display at 9 p.m.
“The Balloon Spooktacular is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with hot-air balloons. It’s fascinating for people of all ages,” Bonnell said. “(This event) is the perfect family-friendly experience for fall.”