Stage is set for Balloon Fest
Volunteers with a mission group from Lima help set up the stage for the All Ohio Balloon Fest today at the Union County Airport. Gates open today at 5 p.m. when the Shane Stephens Band takes the stage, followed by Cliff Cody and then headliner Cole Swindell. Patrons should enter through the Weaver Road gate. Tickets are available at the event. A balloon launch is scheduled for 6 p.m. with a balloon glow and laser light show set for 9 p.m. All balloon related events are weather permitting. The event continues Friday and Saturday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)
After a year off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the All Ohio Balloon Fest is back, and it promises to be just as exciting and fun-filled as those in past years.
This weekend – Thursday, Friday and Saturday – the Union County Airport on Clymer Road will be bustling with all kinds of activities. Gates open at 5 p.m. on Thursday, and at 2 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.
Helicopter and biplane rides will be on tap each day as will hot-air balloon launches, balloon glows and laser light shows. All aerial events are weather permitting.
In addition musical entertainment will be featured. Thursday evening, the highlight is Grammy-nominated singer Cole Swindell preceded by the Shane Stephens Band and Cliff Cody. Friday night’s slate includes Jacked Up, Michael Christopher, Paula Jayne and Mitchell Tenpenny, while Saturday evening British Invasion and Saving Jane will take the stage.
All kinds of food, drink and goodie concessions will ring the airport tarmac throughout the event as well as several area business booths.
And, of course, there are the balloons. Darth Vader and Master Yoda from Belgium are returning and will be joined by other veteran balloonists along with some new designs including Buzzy The Bee, Coco The Clown and Finley The Fish.
The Balloon Fest has been an outstanding local event since 1975. It has brought many dollars to the area economy as well as benefiting local charities. This year again, the Hope Center will be the recipient of the net proceeds from the three-day event.
So after a year break, it’s again up, up and away!