This year (2024) marks the comeback of the previously annual Waterford Hot Air Balloon Festival, one of about 100 hot air balloon festivals around the country that balloon enthusiast come to visit each year. Waterford Balloonfest is BACK! In partnership with the Tichigan Lake Lions Club and Waterford Union High School, they will host the event at Waterford Town Park on Jensen Parkway!

This festival truly celebrates the joys of flying, featuring an eclectic mix of hot air balloons, live music, delicious food and drinks, and local vendors.

Featuring hot air balloon ascensions at dawn and early evening, as well as “glows” at dusk (all weather permitting), this is an event not to miss! Family friendly, we feature live music, food, beverages, outdoor movie, crafters, Rotocross drones, helicopter rides, kids area and more! Admission is free; parking ($10 cash only) and select activities do have a fee.

Mark your calendar for June 29, 2024.

2024 AnnuAL Waterford Balloonfest SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

12:00PM – Activities Begin! Food vendors, kids zone, craft fair ally, drone races, helicopter rides, bounce houses and more!

2PM – Balloon Pilots set up! Come ask questions, watch & learn

2PM – DJ Begins Entertaining

5:30PM – Pilot Briefing @ the Park Pavilion

6PM – Tethered Balloon Rides

6:30 – 8PM – Mass Ascension Launch Window

8:30 – 9:15PM – Everyones Favorite… The Balloon Night Glow (starting at dusk)

*Schedule may change.

NOTE:
Times for hot air balloon launches & glows are approximate; all events are weather-permitting.

ABSOLUTELY NO:
Smoking, bikes, skateboards, animals or drones on festival grounds. Alcohol is ONLY ALLOWED within the beer garden and may not be brought in or out of that enclosed space (ages 21 and over).

Parking
The event is free but parking is $10 cash.

General Information
This year marks the 9th annual Waterford Balloonfest, one of about 100 hot air balloon festivals around the country that balloon enthusiast come to visit each year. The event, features hot air balloon activities (including competitions, launches and night glows), food, craft & business vendors, a beer garden, live entertainment stages for kids & adults, helicopter rides, tethered balloon rides, an outdoor movie, kids activities & more. Admission is free!

The festival will bring back the classic evening balloon glows for Friday and Saturday evenings.  These evening balloon glows are a visitor favorite!  Weather permitting, the balloonists will highlight their amazing flying skills at a flight competition Saturday morning.

Waterford Balloonfest Activities with Fees:

• Knockerball: $7 per person  
• Helicopter Rides: TBD  
• Bounce Houses: $5 per person 
• Tethered Balloon Rides : Adults- $20 Children under 12- $15
• Parking: $10 Cash Only

Balloon Information

Those interested in scheduling a hot air balloon ride should contact balloonist coordinator Ken Walter with WindDancer Balloon Promotions, aballoonride@gmail.com prior to the event. Find more information HERE.

* All balloon events are weather dependent. * Ballooning is a fair weather sport. Assuming visibility is good, the key consideration is the wind speed. Generally, a launch is not feasible when the wind exceeds 8 miles per hour. The preferred flying times are just after sunrise and just before sunset, when the winds are lighter and more stable. The pilots make a determination concerning the weather.

Find more Summer Fun HERE.

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