Plano Balloon Festival kicks off Sept. 21

We have plenty of free tickets to the Plano Balloon Festival. But you must comment on this article or our Facebook page, or send a tweet to win tonight!

If selected as a winner, you must pick up tickets Friday–tomorrow–between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.  from our office at Stemmons and Empire Central. 

2012 will mark 33 years of ballooning in Plano at the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival, a three-day event beginning at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21 at Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway.

The weekend offers something for everyone; entertainment on the FOX 4 Community Stage and KLUV Main Stage, Friday and Saturday evening glows, Saturday evening fireworks, special kids art activities in the Central Market Kids Fun Zone, and the kaleidoscope of colors provided by the 50 hot-air balloons.

The balloons will launch Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. (weather permitting).

The major draw for the balloon festival is the 50 colorful, hot air balloons. Fun for all ages, are the special shapes that attend the festival. This year’s shapes include: Annie the Lady Bug, Little Pirate, Little Bee, Pepi, High Jack, and Jim & Betty with a special appearance by Cosmos at the Saturday night glow.

Attendees will have an opportunity to purchase a balloon ride during the Event. Flights will be offered on a first come first serve basis and will be flown weather permitting and at the pilots discretion. All rides are pre-sold prior to the Festival. Ride cost will be $250.00 per person. Rides are available on the festival website www.planoballoonfest.org.

For the adventurous, the RE/MAX parachute team will perform Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons at 5 p.m., jumping from their plane over the park and landing right in the middle of the launch field. Friday and Saturday evening, some of the balloons will provide a breathtaking sight as they inflate and glow after it gets dark.

This year the Morning Maniacs will showcase their classic cars on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Runners will take off and seemingly float along the Half Marathon, 5K or Family Fun Run Sunday Sept. 23 course after a one-of-a-kind start like no other. It kicks off at 7 a.m. with a balloon launch (weather permitting) will fill the skies overhead with the course leading them back to the Festival grounds where the race bib earns the runner a fabulous hot breakfast, complements of Central Market. Half marathoners can expect a great technical shirt, custom medal, and awesome winner’s trophies. Two additional complimentary tickets (race bib admits the runner) and VIP parking will be an incentive to bring your own cheering section. Register at www.planoballoonfest.org.

Thanks to the participation by over 42 local non-profit agencies, independent vendors, and sponsors they offer everything you can imagine to eat and play. The non-profits provide everything from Plano West Rotary funnel cakes to glow sticks sold at dusk by the Knights of Columbus.

For the past 32 years, this event has been organized and designed to provide entertainment for the entire family. The Central Market Kid’s Fun Zone is filled with a ‘free Kids Korner’, huge inflatables, and more.