Crowds poured into the Union County Airport for the first day of the 2021 All Ohio Balloon Fest – before the rain began to pour, too. Performances from opening acts Shane Stephens Band and Cliff Cody, pictured above, went off without a hitch. Though it appeared nearby storms would skip over the area, just before 8 p.m., lightning strikes quickly appeared near the site. The grounds were evacuated by the Union County Sheriff’s Office for safety purposes. A large, dark cloud approached the airport before heavy rain began, accompanied by wind speeds that exceeded 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Thunderstorms continued throughout the night and headliner Cole Swindell ultimately did not take the stage due to the unsafe conditions. All wristbands from Thursday’s event will be honored for entry to the Balloon Fest on Friday and Saturday. Gates will not open until 4 p.m. Friday, as event organizers work to plan alternate parking options and prepare for inclement weather. Those who are able are encouraged to park in the Meijer parking lot, 930 Coleman’s Crossing Blvd. Bible Baptist Church of Marysville will be providing a shuttle bus from the Meijer parking lot every 15 minutes beginning at 5 p.m. (All Ohio Balloon Fest Photos by Shane Fowler)
Images from Thursday night at the All Ohio Balloon Fest
All Ohio Balloon Fest photos by Shane Fowler and Journal-Tribune photos by Ally Lanasa