The  Colorado River Crossing Hot Air Balloon Festival - presented by the Caballeros de Yuma and sponsored by Barney's Convenience Stores   -  is one of Yuma, AZ's premier annual events. The  festival attracts some of the most colorful and unique balloons from the West and Southwest. Staged over three days in November, with mass ascensions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, the festival uses the Colorado River and the Sonoran Desert as its backdrop.