ASHLAND – Seeing a single hot air balloon overhead is special, but seeing dozens of them inflate and take to the skies is a rare treat.

That’s why Ashland Balloonfest has become an annual tradition for local residents as well as a draw for out-of-town guests. Billed as high-flying fun for the whole family, the 28th annual Ashland Balloonfest runs Thursday, June 28 through Saturday, June 30. 

How and when to watch the balloons

  • Media and sponsor flights: 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Watch as pilots and crew inflate their hot air balloons and take off from Freer Field. 
  • Balloon competitions: 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Watch hot air balloons attempt to fly over Freer Field (morning) or take off from the field (evening) as the pilots compete for cash prizes. 
  • Balloon glow: 9:15 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. See hot air balloons line the launch field and glow against the night sky, choreographed to music. For a closer look, purchase Balloon Glow Encounter Tickets. 

All Hot Air Balloon activities are weather permitting and subject to delay or cancellation. Follow Balloonfest on Facebook for updates leading up to and during the event.

General admission is free. Parking is $6 at Freer Field and Ashland University Lot B (Samaritan and Phillips avenues).

Based at Freer Field in Ashland, the event includes live music, kids’ activities, a cornhole tournament, food vendors and merchant booths. Visitors will enjoy a meet and greet with balloon pilots as well as visits from Disney princesses, first reponders and COSI on wheels. 

Of course, the main attractions are the 31 hot air balloons that will grace Freer Field and the skies above Ashland throughout the weekend. Among them are three special shaped balloons– Oggy The Friendly Dragon, a monster-shaped balloon named One Eye’d Jack and a scarecrow called Smiley. 

Weather permitting, balloons will fly around 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday as well as around 7 a.m. Saturday. 

In addition to the balloon flights, Balloonfest is known for its balloon glow events each night. Starting around 9:15 p.m., balloon pilots will line up and inflate their balloons on the field and then use their propane burners to light up the balloons. The light show is set to music. 

All hot air balloon activities are subject to delay or cancellation as the weather conditions must be just right for flying. 

Balloonfest 2018 Schedule

Thursday, June 28

4-6 p.m. Live Radio Remote 

4-7 p.m. Catering by Pigfoot Backyard BBQ 

4-8 p.m. Jungle Bob exotic animal show every 30 minutes

4-9:30 p.m. Kids Fun Zone pony rides, laser tag, inflatables and more

6-10 p.m. Food Concessions 

5-8 p.m. Merchant

5-9 p.m. Live Musical Entertainment by Tom’s Kitchen Table

5-9 p.m. Bumper Bubbles 

6:15 p.m. Opening Ceremonies 

6:30 p.m. Media Flight 

8:15 p.m. Balloon Glow Encounter (Tickets here)

9:15 p.m. Balloon Glow 

Friday, June 29 

7-8 a.m. Fun Flight 

4-9:30 p.m. Kids Fun Zone 

4-10 p.m. Food Concessions 

5-7 p.m. Disney Princesses

5-9 p.m. Live Musical Entertainment by Kokosing River Surf Club 

5-9 p.m. Bumper Bubbles 

5-8 p.m. Merchant Area 

6-8 p.m. Live Radio Remote 

6:30 p.m. Sponsor Flight 

8:15 p.m. Balloon Glow Encounter (Tickets here)

9:15 p.m. Ashland Times Gazette Balloon Glow 

Saturday, June 30

7-8 a.m. Balloon Competition 

11 a.m. Cornhole Registration & Warm-up ($20 per team)

12 p.m. Cornhole Tournament (Double Elimination. 70% payout.)

12-9 p.m. Bumper Bubbles

12-10 p.m. Food Concessions

1-8 p.m. Merchant Area 

1-9:30 p.m. Kids Fun Zone 

1-2:30 p.m. Pilot Meet & Greet (Park Street)

3-4:30 p.m. Safety Fun including Metro Life Flight (3 p.m.), K-9 demonstrations, fire truck display and child fingerprinting

4-8 p.m. COSI on Wheels 

5-9 p.m. Live Musical Entertainment by Jimi Vincent 

6:30 p.m. Balloon Competition

8:15 p.m. Balloon Glow Encounter (Tickets here)

9:15 p.m. Balloon Glow 

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