Want to spend the weekend with a windbag full of hot air on Father’s Day? That windbag is not dear old Dad — though you can take him on his day — it’s a hot air balloon at the inaugural Bluff City Balloon Jamboree.
At dawn, you can witness the mass ascension of balloons, and right after sunset there will be a spectacular balloon glow. In between will be a festival-like atmosphere. In the morning it is free to watch the balloons. There is a $10 entrance fee to the rest of the festivities, including tethered rides at $20 per person.
“You will want to be up close and personal with everything in the afternoon, shop the vendors, eat the food, do the carnival rides, and see the balloon glow,” says Susan Ewing of Ewing Marketing Partners.
It’s a great event for the whole family, and the proceeds from the event will benefit education through Collierville Rotary Club, Collierville Education Foundation, and schools throughout the Mid-South.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance. There will be no ticket sales at the gate. Otherwise you’ll have to stand in the Target parking lot near the event site at Maynard Way and Byhalia to see the balloons. That would be deflating.
Should you want to keep your feet on the ground, there will also be an art marketplace and informational booths featuring displays of artists and artisans, with an opportunity to learn about services and products offered by local and regional businesses.
Bluff City Balloon Jamboree, Maynard Way and Byhalia in Collierville, TN, Saturday, June 19, noon-10 p.m., and Sunday, June 20, 1:30-10 p.m., $10.