Plano Balloon Fest

UPLIFTING ADVENTURES COLD INFLATED BALLOON WALK-THRU

“This year we invite attendees to walk inside a cold inflated hot air balloon envelope that will remain laying on the ground. We’ve partnered with Uplifting Adventures to create an experience that allows an inside out view, great photos, and educational facts about the fabric of the envelope, structure of the basket and more. The walk thru is free for all ages,” says Amy Leone, Balloon Operations Coordinator and Vice/Chair – Secretary on the Plano Balloon Festival Board of Directors.

COLD INFLATED BALLOON WALK-THRU SCHEDULE:

Friday, September 20, 2024 @ 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 21, 2024 @ 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 22, 2024 @ 7:00 a.m.

Festival attendees are welcome to walk to the end of the field where the envelope of the balloon will be cold inflated and laying down. Walk into the balloon, take pictures, and observe the parts of a hot air balloon from within. Fun favors will be available for children to select from and adults will receive the Parts of a Hot Air Balloon flyer along with the Hot Air Balloon Q&A. Special thanks to Uplifting Adventures owner Billy Broker, a licensed commercial pilot flying Excellence, the official City of Plano balloon.

FESTIVAL FOOD: WAFFLES, TURKEY LEGS, LEMONADE, CORNDOGS AND MORE!

ALL CHICKEN CONCESSIONS
Chicken on a Stick, Orange Chicken, Egg Rolls, Fried Rice, Noodles, Soft Pretzels, Ribbon Cut Potatoes, Fried Oreos, Fried Snickers, Flavored Lemonade, Bottled Water and Soft Drinks

ARE YA THIRS-TEA
Sweet, Unsweet, Peach, Raspberry and Mango Tea; Loaded Lemonade, Jumbo Pickles, and Koolaid Pickles

BIG D KETTLE CORN
Kettle Corn, Bottled Water and Soft Drinks

BOBADDICTION
Tea and Coffee

CONWAY’S CORNDOGS
Corndogs, Fresh Lemonade, Sweet Tea, Cotton Candy, Soft Drinks and Bottled Water

DICKEY’S BARBECUE PIT
Chop Beef Sandwich, Turkey Legs, Pork Sandwich, Chips, Bottled Soft Drinks, Tea and Water

2024 HOT AIR BALLOONS AND PILOTS

In celebration of our 45 years, the 2024 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival is going to Light Up The Sky on September 19-22! This year includes 10 big-eared and smiling special shape hot air balloons: Annie the Ladybug, Larry the Bear, Flying Saucer, Ziggy, Amelia Bearhart, Mango the Seahorse, Purple People Eater, Gizzmo, Mr. Z and Haunted Mansion!

Yes, you can take a ride in a hot air balloon, but not fly away. Experience the sensation with a Tethered Ride that takes you up in the air hovering 20-30 feet above the ground for several minutes. This is just the right amount of time to get the feeling of floating, take magical photos and videos, and check “ride in a hot air balloon” off your lifelong list of things to do. Passengers must sign a waiver, be at least six years of age and rides are offered during the festival, weather permitting.

Opening day is Thursday, September 19 and the four-day festival weekend continues through Sunday, September 22. TICKETS are available online or at the gate. General admission is $10 for adults, $5 – kids 3-12 years old, $5 – Seniors 65 and older, free for kids 36″ and under, and free for all Military and First Responders (with valid ID).

**MR. Z**
Pilot: Dan Stukas
Central, South Carolina

**ZIGGY**
Pilot: Mike Fielding
Oak Point, Texas

**ANNIE THE LADYBUG**
Pilot: Michael Celentano
Frisco, Texas

**WHISK AWAY**
Pilot: Joshua Cato
Reno, Nevada

**AMELIA BEARHART**
Pilot: Michael Ford
Fort Worth, Texas

**GIZZMO**
Pilot: Matt Robison
Fort Worth, Texas

**LARRY THE BEAR**
Pilot: Brian Chase
Moscow, Pennsylvania

**MANGO THE SEAHORSE**
Pilot: Rollie Little
Glendale, Arizona

H-E-B | CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL TO LIGHT UP THE SKY ON SEPT 19-22

The 2024 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival is preparing to Light Up The Sky and celebrate 45 years of ballooning on September 19-22. More than 40 pilots with colorful hot air balloons and special shapes will participate throughout the Thursday to Sunday event, funded in part by the City of Plano, the official Balloon Capital of Texas. Since 1980 the Festival has remained dedicated to educating attendees about ballooning and offering other non-profits an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for their programs and services. The Festival additionally showcases approximately 55 vendors, 35+ corporate exhibitors, and more than 2,000 volunteers from across North Texas.

High In The Texas Sky Drone Show, RE/MAX Parachute Team, and Live Bands on Fox 4 Stage

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival entertainment will feature a drone show, parachute team sky divers, and live music all weekend. The newly added “High In The Texas Sky Drone Show” includes 200 drones by Sky Elements Drone Shows that is replacing the traditional fireworks show due to the continued burn ban in Collin County. Sky Elements recently achieved a Guiness World Records title and continues to spearhead the transition from fireworks to awe-inspiring drone shows. The drone performances will take place on September 22 and 23 on Friday and Saturday evenings, following the balloon* glow events.

Ninja Nation Obstacle Course Added To H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival For Warriors to Compete

Ninja Nation Mobile Obstacle Course will be taking over the field on Saturday, September 23 at the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival. The three Ninja age brackets will compete on custom courses between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Participants must register in advance and sign a waiver onsite prior to participating. Medals will be awarded in each section. All Ninjas will receive a Raising Cane’s Achievement Award for their participation valid for a free Kid’s Meal at any DFW Raising Cane’s Restaurant.

Jr. Ninjas will be challenged with an American Ninja Warrior style obstacle course appropriate for ages 4-6 years old. This course will test speed and agility, starting with the quad Steps and ending with the famous Warped Wall! Ninjas will attempt to navigate the Tik Toks, Swinging Trapeze and giant balance logs just to name a few of the obstacles. The Jr. Division will run the course between 9am and 11am. Medals will be awarded for top 3 athletes in each age and gender division based on their times/completion of the obstacle course.

THANK YOU VOTERS FOR THE 2023 BEST EVENT/FESTIVAL AWARD!

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival was voted the Best Event/Festival courtesy of Plano Magazine. The July/August issue featuring the Best of Plano highlights “The Guide to the Good Stuff.” The 2^nd place winner within the Culture & Entertainment category is Dickens in Downtown Plano and 3^rd place winner is Deerfield Lights.

Plano is the Official Hot Air Balloon Capital of Texas and will celebrate that distinction with a balloon launch* on Sunday, September 24 at 6:00 a.m. The Festival began in Plano in 1980 and has continued as an annual tradition for families to learn about ballooning. From the sunrise inflations to the sunset glows, the wonder of hot air balloons is an unforgettable adventure for our community and everyone who visits Plano. Discover Plano through its live music, eateries, and local culture with a wide range of amenities vibrantly showcased on the Visit Plano website.

2023 HOT AIR BALLOONS & PILOTS

A rainbow of colors, animals, and shapes will be flying High in the Texas Sky at the 2023 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival on September 21-24! Lulu the leopard, Fire Dog, Mister Z, Daz the Whirling Rascal, and Spyder Pig are a few of the special shapes to be spotted among 37 hot air balloons. A Tethered Balloon Ride is a fun experience taking riders up in the air to hover 20-30 feet above the ground for several minutes. This is just the right amount of time to get the feeling of floating, take magical photos and videos, and check “ride in a hot air balloon” off your lifelong list of things to do.

The four-day weekend begins on Thursday, September 21 and continues through Sunday, September 24. TICKETS are available online or at the gate. General admission is $10 for adults, $5 – kids 3-12 years old, $5 – Seniors 65 and older, free for kids 36″ and under, and free for all Military and First Responders (with valid ID).

Big Red Again hot air balloon pilot Joseph Calabrette from Hickory Creek, Texas — **BIG RED AGAIN**
Pilot: Joseph Calabrette
Hickory Creek, Texas

**FIRE DOG**
Pilot: Brian Chase
Moscow, Pennsylvania

RE/MAX Pilot: Steven Lombardi Edgewood, Texas — **RE/MAX**
Pilot: Steven Lombardi
Edgewood, Texas

SPYDERPIG Pilot: Michael Celentano Allen, Texas — **SPYDERPIG**
Pilot: Matt Robison
Allen, Texas

STARDUST Pilot: Amanda Ibbotson-Sullivan Grand Prairie, Texas — **STARDUST**
Pilot: Mark Ibbotson
Grand Prairie, Texas

TICKETS ON SALE!

Tickets are officially on sale for the 2023 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival as of Friday, July 14. The four-day event is September 21-24 and special shapes include: Mister Z, Fire Dog, Spider Pig, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Leopard, and Daz – the Whirling Rascal.

Admission, tickets and parking pricing are as follows:

$10 General Admission
$5 Kids Ages 3-12
$5 Seniors 65 and Over
FREE for Kids 36” and Under
$10 Off-site Parking and $15 Prime Parking
$20 All Day Kids Fun Zone Ride Wristband
$2.50 Per Ride Kids Fun Zone
$20 Kids Ages 6-12 Tethered Hot Air Balloon Ride
$30 Tethered Hot Air Balloon Ride
$50 VIP Plano Symphony Orchestra Concert

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival is continuing the collaboration with the Plano Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, September 21. A limited number of VIP Tickets are available for $50; and include prime parking at First United Methodist Church, Festival admission, special VIP reception at 6:00 p.m. and VIP seating for the 7:30 p.m. concert on the FOX 4 Main Stage.

H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival Soars “High In The Texas Sky”

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival is going to soar “High In The Texas Sky” on September 21-24. Opening day, Thursday, September 21 will showcase the Plano Symphony Orchestra’s family friendly concert on the FOX4 Main Stage. Hot air balloons will inflate and glow* after the sun sets at Oak Point Park where the flickering of flames will dance in the dark.

On Friday, September 22 the gates open at 4:00 p.m. and includes the RE/MAX Sky Diving Parachute Exhibition. Live entertainment by dance band Party Machine covers decades of hit music, the hot air balloon glow* is presented by RE/MAX, along with a spectacular fireworks show. Saturday, September 23 the gates open at 6:00 a.m. for a balloon launch* presented by Dos Equis, the official beer and hard seltzer sponsor of the festival. The Fox4 Main Stage features Ice House, an energetic party band of musicians, professional dancers, and dynamic singers. H-E-B and Central Market present the evening hot air balloon glow* at 7:00 p.m. followed by an amazing music choreographed fireworks show.

COLD INFLATED BALLOON WALK-THRU SCHEDULE:

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