You can see scores of glowing hot air balloons in both Glendale and Cave Creek this weekend — and they’re both a bit of a drive — but the second annual Cave Creek Balloon Festival is the only spot where you can watch a team of pyrotechnic-flanked skydivers leap out of a plane wearing glow-in-the-dark jumpsuits and land in the crowd. Also part of the fun are KMLE 107.9 FM radio personalities Tim and Willy, cover band The Herndon Brothers, a kids’ zone full of inflatable attractions and food and drink concessions.

You can see scores of glowing hot air balloons in both Glendale and Cave Creek this weekend — and they’re both a bit of a drive — but the second annual Cave Creek Balloon Festival is the only spot where you can watch a team of pyrotechnic-flanked skydivers leap out of a plane wearing glow-in-the-dark jumpsuits and land in the crowd. Also part of the fun are KMLE 107.9 FM radio personalities Tim and Willy, cover band The Herndon Brothers, a kids’ zone full of inflatable attractions and food and drink concessions.

The "balloon world" was very different five years ago, according to balloon lecturer Ken Stillman.

The "balloon world" was very different five years ago, according to balloon lecturer Ken Stillman.

Cynics who have nothing good to say about the Arizona Cardinals probably are characterizing Sunday’s decisive win as something they wish the team would do here once in awhile.

While enjoying a warm Sunday afternoon at a Tempe park recently, several Valley peace and social justice activists decided to have a waterballoon war to cool off.

Have you ever wanted to see a hot air balloon up close? Here's your chance. From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, a recruitment event at the Hilton Phoenix Chandler, 2929 W. Frye Road, will be seeking volunteers - balloon crew, hospitality, parking, first aid and more - for the inaugural Arizona Balloon Classic to be held in November.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — A Colorado sheriff said he was pursuing criminal charges in the case of a 6-year-old boy who vanished into the rafters of his garage while the world thought he was zooming through the sky in a flying saucer-like helium balloon.

With his new album, “White Balloons,” finished and a lengthy summer tour that kicks off this weekend in Tempe on tap, former Tempe singer/songwriter Stephen Ashbrook is trying to soak up as much down time in his adopted hometown of Portland, Ore., before hitting the road.

A lackluster Christmas shopping season, smaller estimated tax payments and a contracting industry that continues to shrink are pushing Arizona's budget further and further into the hole.

BISMARCK, N.D. - Why put up costly cell phone towers in thinly populated areas, when a few balloons would do? In North Dakota, former Gov. Ed Schafer is backing a plan to loft wireless network repeaters on balloons high above the state to fill gaps in cellular coverage.

April 23, 2005

A bright and bouncy balloon can brighten even the sourest face. Imagine what 50 gigantic ones will do.