The Balloon Roundup can best be viewed down-valley from Winthrop, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings starting around 7 a.m. — weather permitting.
Hot-air craft go aloft this weekend
The first liftoff for the 25th annual Winthrop Balloon Roundup is set for early Friday (March 4), and the colorful hot-air craft will continue their aerial exploits Saturday and Sunday (March 5-6) mornings as well — all weather permitting.
Back this year after a pandemic pause is the popular Balloon Glow event on Saturday night in downtown Winthrop.
It’s all free for the viewing, despite what you may heard in way of potential scams by people who want you to pay something to watch the hot air balloons gracefully ascend and float over the valley. The Winthrop Chamber of Commerce, which is coordinating the Balloon Roundup, has issued a scam alert (see accompanying sidebar).
The daily launches are scheduled for around 7 a.m. from the field behind the Winthrop Inn on Highway 20 Each morning at 6:45 a.m. the balloonists will make the decision to fly or not based on current weather conditions. Balloon pilots have extensive flight training, and ballooning is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The event is subject to state pandemic guidelines. No pets are allowed at the launch site.
The roundup typically draws about 20 balloonists from around the region. Most observers follow the balloons as they drift down-valley, generally along the path of the Methow River, before alighting. The flying is usually over by about 9 a.m.
Good viewing spots can be found on Highway 20, Witte Road and Old Twisp Highway. Launch viewers are asked to park at the Methow Valley Thriftway, and not on the road or at Winthrop Ace Hardware.
During Balloon Glow, from 5-6 p.m. on Saturday, balloons are inflated on Riverside Avenue. It is also free.
For more information, visit https://winthropwashington.com/events.
Scam alert
All of the public events during the Winthrop Balloon Roundup are free — there is no charge for watching the balloons take off at the Winthrop Inn, or for parking at Methow Valley Thriftway or anywhere else in town, or for viewing the Balloon Glow on Saturday night in downtown Winthrop. The Winthrop Chamber of Commerce advises balloon fans to “please be aware of scams that may try to charge you.”
