Plano Balloon Fest

THINGS ARE REALLY LOOKING UP!

“Things Are Really Looking Up” for the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival & Run that is celebrating its 43^rd year on September 23-25. The City of Plano is the Official Hot Air Balloon Capital of Texas and this annual ballooning tradition will be held at the Red Tail Pavilion / Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve. The three-day weekend features more than 30 colorful hot air balloons, a RE/MAX parachute team exhibition, live entertainment on the FOX4 Main Stage, a spectacular fireworks show, marketing sponsors, food concessions, arts and crafts vendors, a kids fun zone, and more!

AMATEUR OPERATOR RECEIVES HAM RADIO LICENSE

Kim Chance made a Bucket List in 2014 and one of her 46 itemized goals was to get a ham radio license. She recalls spending time with her uncle, at his house when she was a kid, and the little room he used as his “radio shack.”

“I was amazed at all of the cool equipment but had no idea what it was all about. Years later my dad got his ham license and started telling me how he talked to people around the world and even astronauts on the International Space Station! How cool is that?”
Kimberly M. Chance, Flower Mound, Texas

2022 RACE REGISTRATION IS OPEN WITH LOW FEES VALID THROUGH OCTOBER 31

The 2022 Plano Balloon Festival Races are officially scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 24 (5K & 1K) and Sunday, September 25 (10K & Half Marathon); once again featuring the Elevate and Sky High Challenges! New commemorative finisher medals will be designed and given to all participants at the completion of each distance.

PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL BOARD CANCELS 2021

The Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 H-E-B Central Market Plano Balloon Festival that was scheduled for September 17 – 19. With the continued increase in COVID cases, specifically the Delta Variant, the Festival board and staff has considered the health and safety of our Festival pilots, attendees, volunteers, sponsors, and vendors our top priority. In making this difficult decision we are mindful of the extremely large number of families that attend the event, the majority of which have children under 12 years of age.

Providing a safe environment for everyone that visits the event is crucial, especially for our youngest attendees. Safety has been at the forefront of our Festival from the very beginning and that will not change. This was not an easy decision, but the right one to make. We deeply appreciate the support of our partners, sponsors, and the community; and look forward to the best festival ever in 2022.

RUNNER REGISTRATION OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED FOR 2021 PBF RACES

We are REALLY Into RUNNING this year and running registration is officially launched for the 2021 Plano Balloon Festival Races! All races will take place on Sunday, September 19, 2021 and feature distances of a 10K, 5K, 1K and Elevate Challenge (10K & 5K)!

All runners receive dazzling commemorative finisher medals. Kids age 12 and under in the 1K receive a super custom cape, and all runners age 13 and up in the 10K and/or 5K and 1K receive a gender specific, short sleeve, dry fit style race shirt.

Are you a participant who needs and wants a little extra? The Elevate Challenge includes both the 10K and 5K on Sunday and runners get an extra finisher medal, for a total of three medals!

As in year’s past, race participants also receive free admission to the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival & Run on race day morning, as well as complimentary parking. In addition, each participant will receive one additional admission to the festival that is good for race day morning only.

2021 H-E-B | CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL & RUN IS REALLY HAPPENING

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival & Run is really happening September 17-19 at Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve. Epicureans with delicious appetites know that H-E-B | Central Market, as the title sponsor, is “Really Into Food.” Attendees will experience an enchanting opportunity as balloon enthusiasts who are “Really Into Balloons.”

“The Plano Balloon Festival is the signature event of Plano and beyond. We’re thrilled to be able to support this tradition that brings so much community spirit, beauty and notoriety to our area.”
Mabrie Jackson, Director of Public Affairs, H-E-B | Central Market

PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL RECOGNIZED IN TEXAS AWARDS CEREMONY

The Plano Balloon Festival Inc. was recognized for 13 awards during the virtual 2020 Kaliff Marketing Awards ceremony that aired live from the City of McAllen and was livestreamed throughout Texas. The entries submitted were for events held between June 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020 and the competition includes more than 40 categories.

“2020 brought about many challenges to all of us across the State and across the Country. While the pandemic kept us apart, it did not keep us from finding new ways to come together, reconnect, reimagine, and recreate. We were able to bring our communities together in celebration, as we do through our events through TFEA,” stated Joe Vera, Chairman of Texas Festivals & Events Association.

BFA JUNIOR BALLOONIST SUMMER CAMP

The BFA Junior Balloonist Summer Camp Program is for teenagers (age 13-17) who are interested in hot air ballooning.

The BFA Junior Balloonist Summer Camp Program is for teenagers (age 13-17) who are interested in hot air ballooning. These camps are a fun filled and action packed experience. Previous ballooning experience is not required.

Campers will join FAA certified pilots and experienced staff who are trained to act as mentors and counselors. They make sure everyone learns in a safe environment. This is an opportunity to work with various balloon systems including set-up, tethering and if weather permits, maybe even a flight.

There will be hands-on sessions where topics may include Crew Safety, First Aid, Pilot Training and Career Exploration, Weather Theory, Mapping, GPS and more. Campers leave with the knowledge and skills to be a more valuable crew member, better prepared for becoming a safe pilot, and make lasting friendships with teens from around the country.

ZOE WHITE CREWS FOR PEG LEG PETE THE PIRATE PARROT

Hot air balloon crew volunteers assist out-of-town pilots at the Plano Balloon Festival. Zoe White is a local resident that signed up in 2019 and was assigned to help with Peg Leg Pete the Pirate Parrot hot air balloon. Zoe is a Plano Senior High School graduate and enjoys sharing photography on her Instagram account SweetAzurePhotos.

VIRTUAL CELEBRATION FOR 10TH PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL RACES

The news is out that the Central Market Plano Balloon Festival has been canceled. But as we turn the corner, there’s still a hot and humid breeze of excitement ready to carry us forward, one step at a time. Runners across the country are now registering for the 10th Annual Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 1K and the Sky High and Elevate Challenges!

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