Colorado’s Unique ‘Great Aardvark Embark’ Hot Air Balloon Launch

Colorado's Aims Community College is celebrating its 57th year, having started in September of 1967. September of 2024 will see the college's seventh annual hot air balloon event.

Another fun Colorado hot air balloon event is coming to Greeley, the last Saturday of September. The air will be crisp that morning, be sure to dress appropriately; maybe you have some Aims Community College gear you could wear.

Aims Community College has four campuses across Colorado, after officially beginning on September 27, 1967. It was in 1971 that they moved to the 175-acre campus in west Greeley.

Hundreds of thousands of people have gotten educated through Aims in its 55+ year history, all of whom have known the school's mascot, Arty the Aardvark, who dates back to the school's beginning.

Having an aardvark as a mascot is fun; what's also fun is a hot air balloon launch. Aims' Greeley campus will once again host their Great Aardvark Embark on Saturday, September 28, 2024, starting at 6:30 a.m. with the balloons inflating and launching at 7:00 a.m.

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It's great that a Colorado college is hosting a hot air balloon event, as they are about science as well as beauty; the Greeley campus is gorgeous during the fall, as well.

RELATED: Things About Greeley That Surprise Newcomers

Dress warm and bring some cash to enjoy the traditional breakfast burritos and coffee that will once again be available.

• Saturday, September 28, 2024.
• Aims Community College - at the athletic field north of the Cornerstone building.
• Public welcome at 6:30 a.m.
• Launch:7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. with pilots from Colorado Balloon Club.
• Free to attend, food/coffee available for purchase.