Dinosaur River Expeditions to Host Vernal, Utah Balloon Festival on Family Land
Industry: Travel & Leisure
The owner of a river rafting company in Uintah County will sponsor and host the second annual balloon festival at a city park named for his grandparents.
Vernal, Utah (PRUnderground) April 19th, 2019
Tyler Callantine’s grandparents passed away decades ago, but their legacy is never far from him. They showed him the majesty of the rivers that cut through Utah’s Uintah County and inspired him to start his own rafting company — Dinosaur River Expeditions. They were also dedicated to their community of Vernal, Utah as is Callantine, who will be sponsoring and hosting the city’s second annual balloon festival on land donated by his grandparents.
Dinosaur River Expeditions is the only locally-owned whitewater river rafting company in Vernal. Callantine takes his customers on chartered river rafting trips near Dinosaur National Monument, which boasts one of the largest natural displays of exposed dinosaur bones anywhere, offering thrilling whitewater adventures on the Green and Yampa Rivers.
Callantine and his wife, Jennifer, are also driving forces behind a number of community events, promoting recreation for locals and visitors alike. His latest project is the 2nd Annual DinoSaur Days Balloon Festival on May 10-11 to be held in Vernal’s Av and Virginia Kay Memorial Park. The Kays were Callantine’s grandparents and donated the land, which was once part of their family farm, for the Uintah County Recreation Center and surrounding park that now bears their name.
The balloon festival will feature a balloon glow, craft market, half marathon, 5K, and kids fun run. There will also be a Battle of the Bands, community breakfast, car show, and more.
Callantine said that events like the balloon festival provide a fulfilling opportunity for him to honor his grandparents’ example.
“They were avid river rafters and loved the water and land around Vernal,” said Callantine. “They were always very anxious to enrich the community so that people would want to come here and see all that it has to offer.”
After opening his company in 1979, Callantine carried forth this passion for sharing the wonders of Uintah County by offering chartered river rafting trips and guided hiking adventures. The company offers a no-hassle experience to travelers by providing safety gear, experienced guides, transportation to and from the departure and return sites, and tasty meals.
To find out more about Dinosaur River Expeditions or the upcoming DinoSaur Days Hot Air Balloon Festival that they are hosting, call (800) 345-7238 or visit www.DinosaurRiverExpeditions.com.
About Dinosaur River Expeditions
Family-owned Dinosaur River Expeditions offers thrilling whitewater rafting adventures in Northeastern Utah. The only locally-owned and operated outfitter near Dinosaur National Monument takes guests whitewater rafting in Utah along the breathtaking canyons of the Green River, through the Gates of Lodore, and along the mighty Yampa River of Colorado.
