ASHLAND – Nearly 30 hot air balloons will fill the skies over Ashland beginning Thursday as part of the 27th annual Ashland BalloonFest.
The 2017 edition of BalloonFest kicks off at Freer Field with the Miller Hawkins Fresh Foods Backyard BBQ featuring Charcoal Mafia BBQ from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Opening Ceremonies will take place on the field at 6:15 p.m. followed by a media flight and the fan-favorite balloon glow that will start around 9:30 p.m.
Many of the activities planned for BalloonFest are weather permitting, leaving organizers hoping that Mother Nature cooperates. With the weather forecast for the weekend including rain showers, organizers are preparing for every eventuality.
“I hope people are patient and understand that we wait until the last possible second. If there’s a window of opportunity, they’re going to take it,” BalloonFest public relations chairwoman Misty Miller said.
Balloon glows will take place at dusk Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at dusk, weather permitting. During the glows, the balloon pilots shoot propane flames into their colorful envelopes, lighting them against the dark night sky, synchronized to music.
Another big draw for fans is the chance to see dozens of balloons fly over Freer Field. Weather permitting, balloon flights will take place from Freer Field Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and pilots will fly into Freer Field Friday and Saturday mornings.
The 28 pilots taking part in this year’s event hail from Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, and even South Carolina.
“That means a lot to us, for someone willing to travel that far to participate in our event,” Miller said.
Besides the balloon events, the festival also includes live music, dozens of food vendors, a beer garden, a cornhole tournament and a range of activities for children and families. For children, BalloonFest offers COSI on Wheels, along with a Kids Fun Zone with pony rides, laser tag, inflatables, airbrushing and the world’s tallest pinball machine.
“We’ve added a few different things this year, but it’s kind of like the old adage, if it’s not broke don’t fix it. BalloonFest has been around for 27 years and people come out for the balloons,” Miller said. ”That’s why we created the Balloon Glow Encounter, so people can get a little bit closer to the balloons and have a different experience than the general public.”
Admission to the festival is free. The Balloon Glow Encounter lets visitors buy a ticket which allows four people to sit on the Launch Field during the glow.
New additions to this year’s festival include two photo booths – one by Coffy Creations and a selfie booth – and the Donley Ford Drive 4UR Community. For every eligible test drive taken in a Donley Ford vehicle at Freer Field from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Donley Ford will donate $20 to Ashland BalloonFest, up to $6,000.
“So if we can get 300 to take test drives, then that’s a huge fund-raiser for us and we’ll be able to keep BalloonFest coming back for years to come,” Miller said. “It’s completely supported by volunteers and sponsors. Without the sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
Live entertainment will include two newcomers Ashland’s Tom’s Kitchen Table on Thursday and Wooster-based SOBOS (Some Of the Best Old Songs) on Saturday, along with returners The Roadhouse Band on Friday.
A Safety Fun demonstration Saturday includes K-9 demonstrations, the Metro LifeFlight medical helicopter, an Ashland Fire Department truck display and child fingerprinting with Deputy Angie Hamilton of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office.
