Every year the Temecula Valley hosts a colorful celebration with hot air balloons, wine tasting, and two full days of musical entertainment. It’s the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival, and for the past 19 years this event has mesmerized hundreds of thousands of people with its kaleidoscope of colors. Held at the Lake Skinner Recreation Area and surrounded by a picturesque nature preserve, the Festival is a perfect blending of sites, sounds and taste sensations. It started in 1984 with a small group of volunteers from the Temecula Chamber of Commerce. Offering a perfect blending of Temecula’s growing wine country and the splendor of an early morning hot air balloon flight in crystal blue skies, the event was a smash hit. Word that the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival is one of Southern California’s most unique and colorful events rapidly spread. Today the event draws more than 36,000 guests and receives national media coverage.