The Centralia Balloon Festival is taking place for the 35th time this weekend at Foundation Park and features a program of food, crafts, live entertainment and, of course, hot air balloons.
The balloon festival takes place on Friday and Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Balloon Fest weekend visitors can marvel at 40 hot air balloons from across the country, including this year’s special shapes Striker, Peg Leg Pete, Lindy, Freedom Flight 4 and Sky Eyes.
In addition, visitors can enjoy over 20 different food stalls and well over 100 arts and crafts stalls from across the region and beyond.
Festivities begin at 3:00 p.m. Friday with an opening ceremony performed by the Centralia High School Band and Chorus. All hot air balloons are scheduled to take off from the park at 5:30 p.m., followed by tethered balloon rides and a balloon glow at dusk. The evening will conclude with entertainment highlighting Taylor Made – A Tribute to Taylor Swift.
Saturday will begin with opening entertainment by up-and-coming country singer Kaylee Rose. A ceremony honoring veterans will take place at 5:30 p.m., with several balloons scheduled to take off from the park, including the POW/MIA Veterans Freedom Flight Balloon. Tethered balloon rides are again planned for the evening. The crowd-favorite balloon light show is scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 p.m., followed by Saturday’s main entertainment. Country musician and former American Idol contestant Josh Gracin will close the evening.
The park will reopen at noon Sunday for Family Fun Day, which includes a selfie scavenger hunt, photo opportunities, costumed characters, bouncy houses, giant bubbles, kids’ crafts and other activities for children. The Car & Motorcycle Cruise-In begins at 1 p.m., followed by cardboard boat races on Catfish Pond at 3 p.m. Live entertainment, bands and performances are planned throughout the day, and the evening balloon flight is scheduled to conclude the event at 5:30 p.m.
Flights over Centralia are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday mornings at approximately 6:30 a.m. All flights and lighting events are only possible in good weather.
The Balloon Fest draws over 40,000 people to the community, providing a significant boost to the local economy as visitors from across Illinois and surrounding states flock to area hotels, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores and retail outlets.
The event offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the city’s restaurants, parks and lakes, as well as the amenities of Centralia’s surrounding communities.
Wristbands are available for $5 at the entrance and can also be purchased at several shops in the area.
For more details, visit Centraliachamber.com.
