The Centralia Balloon Festival will return for its milestone 35th year in Foundation Park this weekend, with a lineup of food, crafts, live entertainment, and of course, hot air balloons.
Balloon Fest will be held from 3:00 pm until 10:00pm on both Friday and Saturday, and from noon until 6:00 pm on Sunday.
Those attending Balloon Fest weekend will witness 40 hot air balloons from across the country, including this year’s special shapes – Striker, Peg Leg Pete, Lindy, Freedom Flight 4 and Sky Eyes.
Patrons will also be treated to over 20 diverse food vendors and well over 100 craft vendors hailing from throughout the region and beyond.
Festivities will begin at 3:00 pm Friday, with an opening ceremony performed by the Centralia High School Band and Choir. All hot air balloons are scheduled to take off from the park at 5:30 pm, followed by tethered balloon rides and a balloon glow at dusk. The evening will close with headlining entertainment from Taylor Made – A Tribute to Taylor Swift.
Saturday will kick off with opening entertainment from rising country artist, Kaylee Rose. A veteran’s tribute ceremony will take place at 5:30 pm with several balloons scheduled to take off from the park, including the POW/MIA Veterans Freedom Flight Balloon. Once again, tethered balloons rides are scheduled for the evening. The crowd favorite all-balloon glow show is scheduled for Saturday at 7:30pm followed by Saturday’s headlining entertainment, country musician and American Idol alum, Josh Gracin, will close the evening.
The park will reopen Sunday at noon for Family Fun Day, which includes a selfie scavenger hunt, photo opportunities, costumed characters, bounce houses, giant bubbles, kids’ crafts, and other children’s activities. The Car & Motorcycle Cruise-In begins at 1:00 pm, followed by Cardboard Boat Races on Catfish Pond at 3:00 pm. Live entertainment, bands, and performances are scheduled throughout the day, and the evening balloon flight is scheduled to close the event at 5:30 pm.
Flights designed to fly over Centralia are planned for around 6:30 Saturday and Sunday morning. All flights and glows are weather permitting.
Balloon Fest attracts upwards of 40,000 people into the community, providing a significant boost to the local economy as well, with visitors from across Illinois and its surrounding states frequenting the hotels, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores and retail shops in the region.
The event allows those visiting an opportunity to enjoy the city’s restaurants, parks and lakes, as well as the amenities of Centralia’s surrounding communities.
Wristbands are $5 at the gate and may also be purchased at several area businesses.
Visit Centraliachamber.com for more details.
