Upcoming Rain, Winds Postpone Arizona Balloon Classic

By Al Macias
Published: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - 5:51pm

Upcoming storms bringing rain, winds and cold air are shutting down a popular hot air event this weekend. It’s not the cold air but the rain and winds in those storms that create problems.  Rain is forecast for Thursday and Friday with wind gusts of up to 40 miles an hour on Saturday.

Those are not good conditions for hot-air balloons. As a result the Arizona Balloon Classic is being postponed.

The event has drawn dozens of hot-air balloons in past years.

Organizers don’t have a firm date yet, but the website says they are hoping for a date in early March at the Phoenix Event and Sports complex.

The website also says that tickets purchased for hot-air balloon rides or hot-air balloon tethers will be honored when the event is rescheduled.