Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival returns after two years – Press Enterprise

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After two years of postponement and cancellations during the coronavirus pandemic, the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival is back.

The 39th annual event returned to light up dark skies Friday night, June 3, at Lake Skinner Recreation Area near Temecula. The three-day event continues on Saturday June 4 and ends on Sunday June 5.

  • Hot air balloons glow when inflated during the 39th Annual Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival at Lake Skinner in Winchester on Friday, June 3, 2022. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer)

  • Hot air balloons touch each other as they are inflated during the 39th...

    Hot air balloons touch as they are inflated during the 39th Annual Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival at Skinner Lake in Winchester on Friday, June 3, 2022. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer)

  • Chris Sabia uses a burner to inflate his hot air balloon...

    Chris Sabia uses a burner to fill his hot air balloon during the 39th Annual Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival at Lake Skinner in Winchester on Friday, June 3, 2022. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer)

  • A team inflates a hot air balloon during the 39th edition...

    A team fills a hot air balloon during the 39th annual Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival at Lake Skinner in Winchester on Friday, June 3, 2022. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer)

  • Hot air balloons shine when inflated during the 39th edition...

    Hot air balloons glow when inflated during the 39th Annual Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival at Lake Skinner in Winchester on Friday, June 3, 2022. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer)

  • A hot air balloon team inflates a balloon during the 39th...

    A hot air balloon team fills a balloon during the 39th Annual Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival at Lake Skinner in Winchester on Friday, June 3, 2022. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer)

  • Chris Sabia uses the burner to inflate his hot air balloon...

    Chris Sabia uses the burner to fill his hot air balloon during the 39th Annual Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival at Lake Skinner in Winchester on Friday, June 3, 2022. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer)

  • Bob and Vivian Johnson take pictures of hot air balloons as...

    Bob and Vivian Johnson take photos of hot air balloons as they are inflated during the 39th Annual Temecula Valley Hot Air Balloon and Wine Festival at Lake Skinner in Winchester on Friday, June 3, 2022. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer)

Guests were able to enjoy the usual hot air balloon rides and displays, cooking demonstrations and live music. This year, 18 wineries and eight new breweries served drinks. Per Riverside County Health Department guidelines, there are no COVID-19 mandates at the festival and masks are optional.

On Friday night, country star Hunter Hayes headlined the show. Also balloon glow, an after-sunset festival tradition with illuminated displays and music, entertained onlookers. Another balloon glow is scheduled for Saturday night.

The music will continue with Poison frontman Bret Michaels on Saturday and former Chayce Beckham, winner of “American Idol”which comes from Apple Valley on Sunday.

Tickets and information: https://www.tvbwf.com/