The 48th annual Carolina BalloonFest is almost here as the three-day festival will float its way into Statesville starting this Friday with plenty of food, drink, entertainment, and of course, hot air balloons.
The Statesville Regional Airport will once again be the site of this year’s Carolina BalloonFest, sponsored by Flow Automotive.
The schedule of events is below.
FridayGates open at 3 p.m., with the Kids Zone open from then until 7 p.m. The inflatables are free, but the walk-in balloon is $2, and both are weather-dependent.
The N.C. Wine & Craft Beer Garden is also open from 3-7 p.m., and tasting tickets can only be purchased if the patron is wearing an age-verified wristband. Must have a license or other valid ID, and cash only.
On the main stage, Bing Futch plays from 3-4 p.m., followed by the Get Right Band from 5-6:30 p.m., and finally, Albannach hits the stage at 7:30 p.m.
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The window for when many of the balloons take to the air — the Mass Ascension — has a launch window between 4:30 and 6 p.m.
The Evening Glow, after the balloons return, runs from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
SaturdayGates open at 7 a.m. and the Hot Air Balloon Competition, where balloons will fly over the festival grounds performing aspects of a predetermined competition, is set to run between 7:30-9 a.m.
A skydiving exhibition is set for 1:45 p.m. and a pilot meet-and-greet is scheduled from 2-3 p.m.
The Kids Zone opens at 9 a.m. and runs until 7 p.m. and the N.C. Wine & Craft Beer Garden runs from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
For the entertainment stage on Saturday, LeeD Not Follow plays from 10-11 a.m., followed by Bing Futch from 11:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Albannach plays its first time of the day at 12:45 p.m., followed by Darrell Harwood at 2 p.m., Bing Futch again at 3:45, the Way Down Wanderers at 5:15 p.m., and then Albannach plays the final time of the day at 7:30 p.m.
The Mass Ascension launch window is from 4:30-6 p.m., and the Evening Balloon Glow window runs from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
SundayMilitary Appreciation Day is set for Sunday when all veterans and active military service members get in free with their Military Service Card or I.D. card.
Gates open at 7 a.m. and the Hot Air Balloon Competition is set to run between 7:30-9 a.m. The pilot meet-and-greet is scheduled from 2-3 p.m.
The Kids Zone opens at 9 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. and the N.C. Wine & Craft Beer Garden runs from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
For the entertainment stage on Sunday, Bryan Olson begins at 10 a.m., followed at 11:30 a.m. by the NonProphets. Dani Kerr and the Skeleton Crew take the stage at 1 p.m., followed by the N-Spire Band at 2:45 p.m. Bing Futch plays its final set at 4:15 p.m., while Albannach closes out the festival beginning at 5:15 p.m.
The Mass Ascension launch window is from 4:30-6 p.m., but the gates close at 6 p.m.
To buy tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/carolina-balloonfest-2023-tickets-629378517087. Ticket prices vary. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
Free parking is available at the Troutman Park & Ride at the Iredell County Fairgrounds, 630 N. Main St., Troutman, with free charter bus shuttle rides to and from the festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. These buses also have plenty of undercarriage storage for patrons to transport their their chairs, bags, strollers, wheelchairs, etc. to the festival site. This is an approximate eight-minute commute.
A general parking pass for on-site parking is available for $10 per day; a VIP parking pass will be available for $20 per day (see website for map and more details). There are also weekend general parking ($25) and weekend VIP ($50) parking options.
For more information, visit www.carolinaballoonfest.com.
