Man in the Mirror Tribute to Michael Jackson

Flames, colors and pilots will fill the skies of Mesquite this weekend.

The city of Mesquite expects thousands of people to attend Mesquite Gaming’s fifth annual Hot Air Balloon Festival, which will be staged from the old Oasis parking lot at 897 W. Mesquite Blvd.

“It’s a beautiful small-town community. When you add the color in the skylines and the mesas, it brings added beauty to the area,” said Christian Adderson, corporate sales manager for Mesquite Gaming. “It’s fun for the whole family.”

The hot air balloons will launch Saturday and Sunday mornings at 7:30. All launches are free and open to the public.

Saturday night, visitors can see balloons up close during the Balloon Night Glow. Pilots will turn on the flames of the balloons, and the fires will provide a stunning brightness in the darkness.

“My favorite part of the event is the night glow,” said Chris Lazzara, marketing director for Mesquite Gaming. “It’s neat and the photo ops are phenomenal with the really dark background and the flames lit up in the balloons.”

During the week, balloon pilots will visit local schools and teach children about the science of the balloons before they come out to see them in the air over the weekend.

People can volunteer for the event by filling out an online form at MesquiteGaming.com. Volunteers receive a free T-shirt, coffee, a lapel pin and a chance to ride in the balloons if there is enough room.

“The personality of the pilot shines from the balloon, like anything else,” Adderson said. “They’re very passionate about ballooning and what all goes into it. They’re beautiful in their own way.”

Mesquite Gaming hosts the event, along with a Michael Jackson tribute on Friday, two showings of a comedy pet theater on Saturday afternoon and a Neil Diamond Tribute Show on Saturday night.