AMARILLO, TEXAS -- All the colors of the rainbow will be filling the Canyon and Amarillo skies this weekend as the annual "Pirates of the Canyon" Hot Air Balloon Festival starts.

It was a bright and early start Friday morning as hot air balloon pilots and their crews gathered at Palo Duro Canyon State Park to kick off the "Pirates of the Canyon" Festival.

The wind direction was unfavorable for a balloon launch Friday morning. But the balloons still made for an incredible sight.

Philip Bryant, the pilot of the Propane Exceptional Energy Balloon, has traveled far and wide to entertain his hobby.

"There's no more beautiful places then in the country. We'll take balloons and fly them all over and addition to that it's really a social sport. It's about meeting new people. I've taken other balloons to Portugel, Canada, Puerto Rico, and other countries, been flying in Germany, Beligum, France, Holland, a lot of countries in Europe," said Bryant.

The weekend events continue Friday night wit ha glow at sunset at John Stiff Park.

That's when the balloons will inflate after dark and use their burners to light up the night sky. Events continue at the park Saturday morning with a pilot competition, Chalk Walk, afternoon Trick or Treat, and Mass Ascension.

Then the festival wraps up Sunday with a sunrise flight out of the Canyon.

"Hopefully we'll bring a lot of kids out and show kids the balloons and again, it's just wonderful venue for families to come out and have fun," said Bryant.

For those who dream of going up in a hot air balloon.

"It's total freedom. You're un tethered from the ground or a vehicle and you're out floating across the country side and you're in a constant state of discovery," said Bryant.

For more information and a schedule of events click here.