TEMECULA TRADITION: Nope, the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival *hasn't* been around since the Montgolfier brothers were first making headway in the art of balloon flight. But it has been around for nearly 30 years, which is definitely enough to time to qualify it as one of the longest running, best known hot-air balloon parties in the state. It also helps that "wine" is in the title -- hi, this is Temecula we're talking about, so of course wine will be in the title -- and that several bands show to rock the proceedings. And the proceedings this year? They're happening from Friday, June 3 through Sunday, June 5.
WHAT'S GOING DOWN: Or up, rather. Mass ascensions are planned (we almost like the part just before the mass ascension, when the balloony envelopes are just starting to grow big). A balloon glow is on the schedule, too. And performances from Dennis DeYoung, Third Eye Blind, and Candlebox. Plus thousands of bottles of wine lined up from dozens of local wineries. Yep, this one has to be three days; there's just no other way.
