The month of August traditionally signals back to school, the beginning of football season and the waning summer season. For 42 years in Marysville, it has also meant that it’s time for the All Ohio Balloon Fest.
This year’s event begins Thursday and runs through Saturday, Aug. 10-12 at the Union County Airport, and coordinators are hopeful that it will be the best one yet. In terms of attendance, the Balloon Fest is the largest event in Marysville and Union County, drawing thousands and thousands of people. It benefits motels, restaurants and all kinds of businesses in the area, but the main beneficiary is United Way of Union County that receives the net proceeds.
The gates open at 5 p.m. Thursday and at 2 p.m. both Friday and Saturday, and festivities continue until 10 p.m. all three nights. The program for all three days features entertainment, helicopter rides, tandem sky jumps, Kidz City for the youngsters, airplane rides, more than 20 vendors and, of course, hot-air balloons which provide rides and ascend and then glow at dusk. Weather is a factor in much of the agenda.
On Thursday, music superstar Clint Black is included with festival admission and scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. Before he takes the stage, the local group, Jacked Up, will perform at 5:30 p.m., followed by New Orleans country singer Karen Waldrup at 7 p.m.
On Friday and Saturday, admission tickets are $10, with children 12 and under free. Parking is $5 per vehicle all three days.
On Friday, music begins with Dan Orr Project at 5:30 p.m., followed by the 80s rock legend Night Ranger, at 8 p.m. The band is celebrating its 35th anniversary.
Saturday’s entertainment starts with the group Blu Kuda at 5:30 p.m. and concludes with Bon Journey at 8 p.m.
Throughout Friday and Saturday, professional skydivers will demonstrate their skills, and a World War II B-25 “Mitchell Bomber” will be on display. Lucky winners of a drawing for J-T subscribers will receive a free ride in it.
Darth Vader and Yoda balloons from Belgium will again make the trip. Other special shapes are part of the 20 balloons scheduled to fill the skies.
All in all, with Mother Nature’s cooperation, the 2017 All Ohio Balloon Fest will hopefully set more attendance records while providing entertainment for the whole family, and at the same time show why Marysville and Union County are a great place to live, work and play.