Airborne Art
This photojournalism project showed the annual Animas Count Hot Air Balloon Festival. While visiting Durango, I attended all three days of the event and captured the big takeoff of the hand-painted balloons.
October 2023
Jessie Connors ignites her burner at the Downtown Balloon Glow in Durango, Colorado on October 20, 2023.
Bryce Risley helps children ignite the flame from her burner at the Downtown Balloon Glow in Downtown Durango, Colorado on October 20, 2023.
David Eichhorn and his team prepare for the hot air balloon take-off in the Animas Valley, Colorado on October 21, 2023.
Cody Myers flies single through the air in his balloon in Animas Valley, Colorado on October 21st, 2023.
The spirit of Halloween is celebrated with a pumpkin-shaped hot air balloon at the Downtown Balloon Glow in Durango, Colorado on October 20, 2023.
Mark Coffing and his crew fly over the event in their balloon No Boundaries in Animas Valley, Colorado on October 21st, 2023.
Three balloons are ready for takeoff as people watch in wonder in Animal Valley, Colorado on October 21, 2023.
The crowd gathers to watch various Hot Air Balloons take off from a field in Animal Valley, Colorado on October 21, 2023.
Greg Lindsey ignites his burner at the Downtown Balloon Glow in Durango, Colorado on October 20, 2023.
Mark Whiting and his crew wave from their basket on their hand-painted balloon Big Top in Animas Valley, Colorado on October 21st, 2023.
Bob O’Brien and his team set up for the hot air balloon take-off in Animas Valley, Colorado on October 21, 2023.
Martin Adie and his crew fly above the crowds in their balloon HopScotch in Animal Valley, Colorado on October 21st, 2023.
Mike Bertetto is the first to take off in Nerfer, his balloon, in Anmal Valley, Colorado on October 21st, 2023.
David Eichhorn and his team take off in their hand-painted air balloon Western Spirit in Animas Valley, Colorado on October 21st, 2023.
People gather for the Downtown Balloon Glow in Durango, Colorado on October 20, 2023.