(upbeat music) - Well, Sandy's 19th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival is coming up soon.

We're talking about early morning hot air balloon launches, balloon glow, dance parties, drone shows, and more free activities.

Katie Atkinson joins us now with more details.

Welcome.

- Hey, Liz, thank you so much for inviting me.

- So I am so excited for this festival.

There is nothing more beautiful than seeing tons of hot air balloons on a beautiful summer morning.

What can people expect at this year's event?

- I agree.

We are so lucky.

This year we have 17 balloons, the most balloons we've ever launched, hopefully, if the weather cooperates both mornings, both Friday and Saturday morning.

And then our glow is gonna be a lot of fun again this year.

- [Liz] So people can bring a blanket, bring their family, bring their friends, and check out these gorgeous balloons as they go up.

And I asked you, why do the pilots, why do they agree to do this year after year?

- These are some of the most passionate pilots you will ever meet.

They love being up in the sky.

And any chance they have to share their talents and their beautiful hobbies, it's a hobby for most of them.

They love being able to share it with the community and their passion.

- And you were telling me you have a returning pilot that kind of has a special story.

- Yes, his name is Michael Glenn.

He's the world's first paraplegic hot air balloon pilot.

And he came last year, and we're so lucky he's returning again this year.

He has quite the special story and the hurdles that he's had to jump through in order to become a hot air balloon pilot.

And he has a really fun hot air balloon, it's a bee, the shape of a bee named Jolie, so.

- [Liz] In the beehive state, it's perfect.

- That's right.

- I love that.

- That's why we had to have him back.

- So when people come out, what can they expect besides seeing the beautiful balloons?

Would they be able to ride in them or how does that work?

- Yeah, that's a great question.

So the city doesn't actually coordinate any of the rides for attendees to ride in the balloon, but a lot of the pilots need assistance on their crew, so they can still have really up close and personal interactions with the pilot in the balloons.

And a lot of times you can get in the basket and pull the torch and feel the flame, so it's still a lot of fun.

- It is so much fun.

All right, let's get the folks the details.

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing this information.

- [Katie] Absolutely.

- About this free family fun event that is happening in Sandy.

We're talking about the 19th Annual Sandy Balloon Festival at Storm Mountain Park, August 7th and 8th.

Now, you want to make sure you take notes about this part.

In the morning, in the AM, it's at Storm Mountain Park, and then for the evening balloon glows, you're gonna head down to Sandy Promenade for that part of the festivities.

Just head to sandy.utah.gov/balloon-festival for more details.

I'm Liz Adeola.

Thank you so much for watching "Contact."

(upbeat music) Philanthropy, Arts, culture.

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Hi, I'm Liz Adeola, the host of Contact, a show that connects you with local events and organizations that serve your community.

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