Centralia Balloon Fest set to begin three day run on Friday

Aug 29, 2023

Centralia Balloon Fest is set to open Friday afternoon with the weekend event based at Foundation Park including hot air balloons, live entertainment, and family activities.

The annual event is sponsored by the Centralia Chamber of Commerce. Executive Director Marcus Holland says one of the favorite parts of the event is attendees being able to walk up to each balloon to see it all happen up close with lots of opportunities for photos and videos.

Balloon Fest hot air balloon events are scheduled as follows, weather depending:

· All balloons fly on Friday, August 18, at 5:30 pm, then balloons glow at 7:30 pm.

· VFW / American Legion sponsored POW / MIA Freedom Flight balloon will take off on Saturday, August 19, at 5:30 pm to honor veterans, then all balloons will glow at 7:30 pm.

· Tethered hot air balloon rides are scheduled for Friday and Saturday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at $10 per person. All flights are reserved for sponsors.

· Local pilots will close the event with an evening flight on Sunday, August 20, at 5:30 pm.

Park hours are 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, and then 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday.

Holland says even though hot air balloons are the star of the show, we have some great live entertainment before and after the scheduled hot air balloon events.

Headlining entertainment on Friday from 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm is The Mellow D’s a variety band from St. Louis, who will make everyone dance and sing with their pop and rock hit covers. The opening act on Friday at 4:00 pm is the local pop duo The Presswoods.

After the balloon glow on Saturday from 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm is Roaming Home from Southern Illinois. They play a little bit of country, rock, and classic hits for everyone’s enjoyment. The opening act on Saturday at 3:00 pm is the Americana-folk duo Snowbird Street Band.

Sunday is Free Family Fun Day from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm with free inflatable jumps, kids’ crafts, selfie scavenger hunt, games, and more family activities like the Car and Motorcycle Cruise-In and Cardboard Boat Racing. The closing entertainment is the blues group Eastsider Review Band from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

The event has been held yearly since 1990. It will feature 38 hot air balloons this year as well as over 100 vendors at the food and craft fair. The event annually draws 30,000.

Admission is $5 per person for all three days. Wristbands can be purchased before the Balloon Fest for easy entry. Only cash will be taken at the gates. Kids under 2 years old are free. Parking is available at $5 per car per day.

For more information or to see the full schedule visit www.centraliaballoonfest.com.

(Photos – Pat Hodges)