Sarasota Hosts Inaugural Balloon Festival This Weekend

SARASOTA, FL – Organizers are hoping predictions of rain and wind gusts over the weekend don’t result in a bust for the inaugural Sarasota Balloon Festival. The festival is scheduled to run through Sunday at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.

Up to 25 hot air balloons are expected to compete for prize money during the event as well as offer rides to patrons and participate in a night glow event in which the pilots light up their burners to produce a glowing effect against the night sky.

The festival also will feature carnival rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, a bounce house, a classic car exhibit, retail vendors and food trucks.

Admission is free. Children can purchase $25 wrist bands for unlimited daily carnival rides. Parking is $20. Balloon rides will be available for $250 and tethered evening rides cost $20.

Tethered rides will be available each evening at 6 p.m. starting tonight, Friday, March 9. Night glows will take place Friday through Sunday at 7 p.m.

Balloon pilots will compete in balloon races beginning at 6:45 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Premier Sports Campus is located at 5895 Post Blvd. in Lakewood Ranch.

Image via Sarasota Balloon Festival