Hot-Air Balloons Take Flight at Aims’ Great Aardvark Embark

Aims invites the community to start the day with colorful hot-air balloons rising over the Greeley Campus during the annual Great Aardvark Embark on Saturday, September 26. Parking opens at 6 a.m. and the event field opens to the public at 6:30 a.m. Balloons are expected to launch between 7 and 7:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Professional pilots from the Colorado Balloon Club give attendees an up-close look at the balloon inflation process before the balloons take to the sky.

Breakfast burritos and coffee are available for purchase on-site. A limited number of Aims frisbees will also be available as giveaways. The Aims mascot, Arty the Aardvark, will be there greeting guests and taking photos during the event. 

Know Before You Go

Aims is committed to creating a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Please keep the following in mind when planning your visit:

• 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 to members of the public. 
   
• 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 may need to move once the balloons are set in motion.

Visit events.aims.edu for further information on community events at Aims Community College. 

To request accommodations for this event, call 970-339-6565 or email accommodations@aims.edu.