Rick Schmidt of Mancos prepares to take to the air with his balloon Friday morning during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally north of Durango. About 15 balloons floated south down the valley for several miles before landing. Launches will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Rick Schmidt of Mancos prepares to take to the air with his balloon Friday morning during the Animas Valley Balloon Rally north of Durango. About 15 balloons floated south down the valley for several miles before landing. Launches will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

The Animas Valley Balloon Rally began Friday morning in Hermosa.

Over the weekend, about 20 pilots will fly balloons in the Animas Valley. Launches will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A “balloon glow” – where a string of pilots illuminate their balloons on the ground – will be held around 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the launch site in Hermosa. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, as well as Saturday evening, tethered hot air balloon rides will be offered for $10.