Plano Balloon Fest

‘SHARED HORIZON’ LAUNCHES AS THE 2026 THEME FOR H-E-B | CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL, SEPT. 17-20

The H‑E‑B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival announced this year’s theme: Shared Horizon. The artwork celebrates the shared wonder of ballooning that has defined North Texas for more than four decades. It reflects the way pilots and spectators all look to the same sky as colorful hot-air balloons bring Oak Point Park to life, capturing the moment and creating a sense of connection that stretches across the entire horizon.

“Shared Horizon is about more than balloons,” said Jo Via, Festival Director. “It reflects the way this festival brings people together — pilots sharing the sky, families creating lasting memories, alongside an engaged community. This year’s artwork captures that spirit beautifully.”

The 2026 theme and design features sponsor balloons and special shapes, with a sunrise horizon that has become a festival signature.

NO PROB LLAMA AND COMO SE LLAMA

Courtesy of Bard Balloon:
“Congratulations to Bill Broker & Uplifting Adventures for the construction and beautiful execution of two, twin, brand-new Bard Balloons designed special shape hot air balloon envelopes.

The pink Llama is named Como Se Llama and owned by Stephanie Maughan from the St. Louis area.

The dark grey Llama is named No Prob Llama and owned by Bill Broker.

These balloons use the BARD Racer profile and use smooth skin gores with no visible lofting between load tapes. With a base volume of only 65k, a total volume of 71.3k, and with those super-tall ears they stand a full 106 feet tall. Using Bard Balloons brand-new second generation FLOATCOAT lightweight fabric in custom dyed colors, these two envelopes only weight 201 lbs each.”

RISE & SHINE WITH HOT AIR BALLOONS & PILOTS SEPT 18-21

Rise & Shine and have a good time with more than 30 hot air balloons at the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival on September 18-21. Among the special shapes includes Ms. Autumn that is a giant pumpkin with a massive green stem, and Barnstormer that features a cow, horse, pig, farmer and silo; representing the American farmers that feed our great nation. Voluntold is a historical nod to the first balloon flight in 1783 and pilot Gary Moore has incorporated a sheep, duck and rooster into the design to honor the passengers who originally flew and safely landed. Ziggy the Raccoon is ready for adventure, Bud E Beaver weighs 700 pounds, and fans will adore seeing Lovebirds, Fire Dog, and Police Dog on the field.

H-E-B Hot Air Balloon pilot Amie Cato at the Plano Balloon Festival — **H-E-B**
Pilot: Amie Cato
Paris, Texas

Central Market Whisked Away hot air balloon with pilot Matt Robison of Fort Worth Texas — **H-E-B**
Pilot: Amie Cato
Paris, Texas

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

**BARNSTORMER**
Pilot: David Adler
Belgrade, Montana

Ziggy the Raccoon Hot Air Balloon at the Plano Balloon Festival — **BARNSTORMER**
Pilot: David Adler
Belgrade, Montana

TICKETS ON SALE

Tickets are officially on sale for the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival that is themed to “Rise & Shine” on September 18-21. The four-day weekend has exciting new attractions featuring Portillo’s 32-foot long Beef Bus® and a Classic Car Show including Oldsmobile, Chevy, Buick, Pontiac and Cadillac. Thomas J. Henry Law, the largest personal injury law firm in Texas, is sponsoring the Spectacular Pyrotex Fireworks Show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Families can explore the Whataburger Kids Korner Free Art Tent located in the Central Market Kids Fun Zone full of inflatables, slides and rides. Watch the RE/MAX sky divers land on the field, take a tethered ride in a hot air balloon, or climb in the front seat of the ultimate driving machine courtesy of BMW of Plano.

Admission and parking fees are as follows:

$10 General Admission
$5 Kids Ages 3-12
$5 Seniors 65 and Over
FREE for Kids 36” and Under
FREE for Military and First Responders (with valid ID)
$10 Off-site Parking and $15 Prime Parking
$20 All Day Kids Fun Zone Ride Wristband
$50 VIP Plano Symphony Orchestra Concert

Festival Dates & Hours
September 18 – 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
September 19 – 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
September 20 – 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
September 21 – 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

RISE & SHINE SEPTEMBER 18-21

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival will “Rise & Shine” on September 18-21 in a four-day celebration of ballooning at Oak Point Park. The annual event is a family-friendly weekend of activities with magnificent hot air balloons, spectacular fireworks show, carnival rides, fair food, cultural performances, live bands, and local vendors. The Festival is sponsored by H-E-B, Central Market, FOX 4, RE/MAX, BMW, and Whataburger; and funded in part by the City of Plano.

Children of all ages can experience the Whataburger Kids Korner Free Art Tent located in the Central Market Kids Fun Zone full of inflatables, slides and rides. Stroll the park and shop hand-crafted artwork, toys, gifts, apparel and other merchandise from 35 merchandise vendors providing an assortment of décor, artwork and more. Climb in the front seat of an ultimate driving machine, experience exceptional customer service and exclusive offers with BMW of Plano.

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.

COLD INFLATED BALLOON WALK-THRU SCHEDULE:

Sponsors