Event Schedule
Relax under Carolina blue skies between early morning and late afternoon balloon launches. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets to relax and enjoy the cool autumn days with your friends and family! Live music on the stage, tethered balloon rides, Artisan Village, Kids Zone, NC wine garden, great festival foods and much more!
Friday, October 17th
3PM Gate Open
3PM-7PM Kids Zone
3PM-7PM NC Wine Garden
3PM-8:15PM Entertainment Schedule
4:30PM-6PM Mass Ascension Launch Window
(Hot Air Balloons Fly Out of the Festival Grounds. The Flight Director, Safety Officer and Pilots-in-Command may change schedule or cancel due to weather or safety concerns.)
6:30PM-7:30PM Evening Balloon Glow
(Hot Air Balloons return to the Festival Grounds to inflate & display at dusk*
*The Flight Director, Safety Officer and Pilots-in-Command may change schedule or cancel due to weather or safety concerns. )
7:45PM Drone Show
8:30PM Gates Close
Saturday, October 18th
6:30AM Gate Open
7:30AM-9AM Hot Air Balloon Competition Launch Window
(Hot Air Balloons fly over Festival Grounds performing aspects of a pre-determined competition. The Flight Director, Safety Officer and Pilots-in-Command may change schedule or cancel due to weather or safety concerns. )
9AM-7:30PM Kids Zone
Inflatables* Free! Walk-In Balloon* ($2)!
*inflatables & walk-in balloon are weather-dependent
10AM-8:15PM Entertainment Schedule
10AM-7:30PM NC Wine Garden
2PM-3PM Pilot Meet & Greet
Meet our pilots! To see if any rides or available, to ask questions, or if you're just curious, meet & greet some of our pilots in the launch field.
4:30PM-6PM Mass Ascension Launch Window
(Hot Air Balloons Fly Out of the Festival Grounds. The Flight Director, Safety Officer and Pilots-in-Command may change schedule or cancel due to weather or safety concerns.)
6:30PM-7:30PM Evening Balloon Glow
(Hot Air Balloons return to the Festival Grounds to inflate & display at dusk. The Flight Director, Safety Officer and Pilots-in-Command may change schedule or cancel due to weather or safety concerns. )
7:45 Drone Show
8:30PM Gates Close
Sunday, October 19th
6:30AM Gate Open
7:30AM-9AM Hot Air Balloon Competition Launch Window
(Hot Air Balloons fly over Festival Grounds performing aspects of a pre-determined competition. The Flight Director, Safety Officer and Pilots-in-Command may change schedule or cancel due to weather or safety concerns. )
9AM-5PM Kids Zone
Inflatables* Free! Walk-In Balloon* ($2)!
*inflatables & walk-in balloon are weather-dependent
10AM-6PM Entertainment Schedule
10AM-5PM NC Wine Garden
2PM-3PM Pilot Meet & Greet
Meet our pilots! To see if any rides or available, to ask questions, or if you're just curious, meet & greet some of our pilots in the launch field.
4:30PM-6PM:Mass Ascension Launch Window
(Hot Air Balloons Fly Out of the Festival Grounds. The Flight Director, Safety Officer and Pilots-in-Command may change schedule or cancel due to weather or safety concerns.)
6PM Gates Close