Is your community sponsoring a hot air balloon festival?
If so, plan ahead and have a blast! Hot air balloon
festivals are springing up in communities across the country
and gaining in popularity. These festivals attract
balloonists who come for the camaraderie and contests as
well as festival-goers looking for a fun way to spend the
day. Even if you’ve never paid much attention to the sport
of ballooning, you’ll have a terrific time at a hot air
balloon festival.
Hot air balloon festivals are usually two- to three-day
events filled with ballooning and general entertainment.
Balloonists roll into town with their wicker baskets, flight
and ground crews, and colorful balloons to take part in the
event. Most hot air balloon festivals feature several events
for balloonists to participate in, like races and evening
“glows.”
A typical day at an annual hot air balloon festival begins
at dawn and lasts well past dusk. But this doesn’t mean that
you have to stay all day long. In fact, you’ll be given a
wristband, stamp or other pass that allows you to come and
go. For example, you may want to show up at sunrise and
watch as the balloons make their morning ascent into the
clouds above. After viewing the spectacle, you can head back
into town for breakfast before returning in the late
afternoon to listen to musicians as they rock the crowd.
Once the sun goes down, enjoy the amazing sight of hot air
balloons lighting up the night.
What to Expect at a Hot Air Balloon Festival
These events are large scale, multi-day events with plenty
of activities and entertainment for the whole family. Here
are some tips for making the best of your time:
- Dress in layers because the day starts early and ends
late.
- Bring a wagon and load it up with blankets, lawn chairs,
picnic foods, water, soft drinks, sunscreen, and other items
for a day outdoors.
- Wear sturdy shoes for tromping around the fairgrounds.
Many hot air balloon festivals blend ballooning with other
local experiences. For example, you might find yourself at a
balloon-and-wine festival where you can taste the local wines as
you enjoy the sights. This could be the perfect way to spend a
romantic afternoon with someone special or a time to catch up
with friends in a creative, social setting.
As with most festivals, a hot air balloon festival usually has
numerous entertainment venues like pony rides, rock-climbing
walls, live music, petting zoos, and marketplaces. If you have
kids, bring extra money because some of these activities will
require tickets. In general, live music and concerts are usually
included in the price of admission.
Planning Ahead
If you want to go up in a hot air balloon during the festival,
plan ahead and make reservations. Many local ballooning
companies will take paying guests aloft during the ballooning
events. This ride will be a vivid experience with views of
dozens of other balloons in the air with you. In addition, some
ballooning festivals offer tethered
hot air balloon rides for a fee.
Spending the day with your family and friends at a hot air
balloon festival is a terrific way to enjoy the magic and
artistry of ballooning. Even if you never get off the ground,
you’re bound to have a great time.
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