All eyes to the sky! Hot air balloons will be soaring high over the little Utah town of Salina in June. If you're looking for a fun summer weekend activity that everyone in the family will enjoy, you'll want to check out this hot air balloon festival. The town of Salina, Utah is a charming location in the center of the state, far from any major cities, and it is home to both natural beauty and dark history. That makes it an ideal setting for a festival that celebrates the art of ballooning. This year's event takes place in June from the 21st to the 23rd, and if these pictures of past years' events are any indication, it's going to be an amazing summer fest to remember.

Bright, colorful hot air balloons will fill the skies over the town of Salina June 21-23, 2024.

You'll find this little town along Interstate 70, just north of Richfield. Its population is fewer than 3,000 people, but it offers several hotels for overnight stays, so you can make this festival a weekend adventure if you'd like.

You'll want to wake up nice and early on at least one of the festival days so you can see the Balloon Launch. Head to North Sevier Middle School before 6 a.m. to see the pilots get the balloons ready to launch...

...then watch as these vibrant balloons fill the skies! You can see them from miles away.

The beautiful balloons are just one of the many features of this fun festival. Carnival rides, craft fair, and food vendors all get started at 4 p.m. on Friday, and live entertainment starts at 5 p.m.

On Saturday, June 22nd, festival goers will enjoy free tethered balloon rides after the morning balloon launch. It's your chance to see what it's like to soar above the ground in a hot air balloon!

Other Saturday activities in the past included breakfast at the Aurora Fire Department from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., a chalk art contest, face painting, bingo, and a free swim at the new Salina swimming pool. Stay tuned for more details on the 2024 event!

Local talent entertains festival visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., then band Runaway Fire and country artist Chris Petersen offer free concerts on Friday and Saturday night from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

As dusk approaches on Saturday evening, you'll want to make your way to Salina's Main Street for the balloon glow. These colorful orbs are even more stunning when they're lit up at night.

One last balloon launch takes place at 6 a.m. on Sunday morning, so get a final look before you leave!

Have you attended this balloon festival in Salina, Utah in past years? Tell us about your visit in the comments section! Make sure to follow the Eyes To The Sky Balloon Festival Facebook page for the latest updates, and put this awesome event on your calendar now so you don't miss it! You can also learn more on the Eyes To The Sky Balloon Festival website. Salina is a beautiful town and an ideal part of any road trip through rural Utah. If you're looking for a place in the area, don't miss out on a night at the High Desert Inn - an affordable roadside motel with some great decor.