Aims Community College to Host Annual Hot Air Balloon Launch on Greeley Campus

On September 28, come watch professional Colorado Balloon Club pilots set up, inflate and fly. The event is in the field north of the Cornerstone Building on the Greeley Campus, 5401 West 20th Street.

Parking opens at 6 a.m. and the event field opens to the public at 6:30 a.m. Balloons are estimated to launch between 7 and 7:30 a.m. The event is free to attend.

In addition to the balloon launch, the “Flat Arty” contest returns. Kids can take home an image of Arty the Aardvark, the Aims mascot, and share where he landed on his balloon ride via social media, using the hashtag #AardvarkEmbark. Judges will select a winner based on the coolest place Arty landed and award a collection of special Aims branded items.

Breakfast burritos and coffee will be available for purchase onsite. Giveaways include a limited number of frisbees for attendees. 

Aims Community College values the safety of all campus visitors and will follow state and local safety guidelines.  Please keep the following in mind:

• This event is weather-dependent. Weather conditions may alter launch times and event status. Aims staff will post event day conditions and updates on the event page at events.aims.edu. 
• Please follow parking signs and park legally. Parts of Winograd Lane (inside the Aims Campus) will be closed for pedestrian safety.
• Smoking and vaping are not permitted. 
• Participants are not allowed to fly drones at the event. 
• Please leave your pets at home; only service animals are allowed.
• No overnight parking. 
• Hot air balloon rides will not be offered, sold or given away. 
• Participants cannot get into balloons tethered to the ground. 
• Attendees are open to sit where they would like in the fields. Please be aware that you might need to move when the balloons start moving.
• To request accommodations for this event, call 970-339-6388 or email disabilities@aims.edu.

“This event highlights the strong affinity between Aims and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Gene O’Hara, secretary of the Aims Board of Trustees.  “It’s a prime opportunity to strengthen our community bonds.”

Visit events.aims.edu for additional information on this and other community events at Aims Community College.