Twenty colorful hot-air balloons soaring above iconic rock formations. Music, dancing and face painting. Weaving demonstrations inside a hogan.

These are a few of the many attractions visitors can expect at the Monument Valley Balloon Event this weekend at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

The festival features balloon launches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Balloon glows will be held Friday and Saturday at dusk.

Geri Hongeva-Camarillo, coordinator of the event and media representative for the tribal parks, said the second annual event has grown substantially since last year.

"We only had the morning launches and night glows scheduled last year, but this year we have a lot of entertainment and activities for the community," she said.

"We have some motivational speakers for our Youth Day on Friday, and our Navajo Nation Vice President Rex Lee Jim is one of our honored guests and motivational speakers."

Twenty balloon pilots from throughout the Southwest have been invited to participate in the event, Hongeva-Camarillo said, including Judith Holt and Sally Heinrich from Phoenix. She said all the pilots have met the expectations required to fly over tribal land.

"They are all very aware of the cultural sensitivity that surrounds Monument Valley and the fragile environment which composes such beautiful landscape," she said.

A variety of entertainment, art displays and activities for people of all ages will be featured over the three days, Hongeva-Camarillo said. Artists and performers include Radmilla Cody, Yaiva, the Davis Boys, and Joe Tohannie Jr. and Apache crown dancers.

Friday is Youth Day, with activities and entertainment such as face painting, winter storytelling, coloring stations and a volleyball tournament.

The balloon event is free, Hongeva-Camarillo said, and park admission fees are waived.

"Seeing the balloons rising above Monument Valley is an experience like no other," she said.

"All of our pilots from last year have told me that Monument Valley is by far their favorite location to fly. They all enjoy coming to our event. Our event is by invitation only and we are hoping to get some international pilots in the upcoming years."