The InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival is celebrating 40 years of ballooning in Plano during the three-day weekend that begins September 20. This annual festival is held in the City of Plano, proudly known as the Official Hot Air Balloon Capital of Texas. More than 85,000 guests are expected to attend this 40^th birthday party set in Plano’s largest park, the Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve.

 

“This is our birthday year and we are extremely excited about it! The InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival brings in pilots from all around the country and offers our community a low-cost, family fun event. The City of Plano does an outstanding job of supporting this event each year.” says Executive Director, Jo Via.

 

The festival starts on Friday, September 20 at 4:00 p.m. and features 50 hot air balloons, the RE/MAX of Texas Parachute Team, Metro by T-Mobile is presenting Downtown Fever and  T-Mobile is presenting Moving Colors Band on the KLUV Main Stage.  Pyrotex is loaded to launch two orchestrated and customized Spectacular Firework Show at 9:00 p.m. presented by Bimbo Bakeries USA on September 20 and 21.

 

 

The Central Market Kids Fun Zone is for kids of all ages to race through obstacle courses, ride the berry-go-round, get their face painted, and zip down huge inflatable slides.  The “Toddler Zone” is designed to be just the right size for younger children and the free Kids Korner offers craft stations and art activities. Ride tickets are $2 each or an all-day play wristband is available for $20 a day.

 

Tethered rides allow guests to float high above the crowd and hover 20-30 feet up but does not launch or fly away. Passengers age 6-12 may ride for $15 per person and adults are $25 each. The tethered rides are scheduled according to regular balloon activities.

 

 

The KDFW FOX 4 Community Stage has an exciting line-up: North Texas Performing Arts, Plano Children’s Theatre, Plano Children’s Chorus, Pogue Entertainment Group, Lee’s US Taekwondo, Events in Motion, Shufflin’ Shoes Cloggers, Griffin Holtby, The Dance Movement’s Fusion Performance Company, Abstrakt Krew, and Pure Dance Movement Power Dancers.

 

 

The Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and 1K races provide an epic adventure for runners to see the soaring hot air balloons while they take strides toward the finish line. Participants receive a commemorative finisher medal, two tickets to the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival and custom race shirt. Advance registration is required for these races held Saturday, September 21, 2019 and Sunday, September 22, 2019.  www.pbfraces.org.

 

Free bus service is for anyone who wants to ride the “balloon flyer” from the DART Parker Road Station to the festival.  Tickets are available online or at the gate.

 

Read the full press release distributed on September 13, 2019.