Michigan Challenge Balloonfest Friday Events

Michigan Challenge Balloonfest starts off Friday, June 24 with the Wade Show Carnival at 2 p.m.

The "one-price" tickets for the carnival are $15, but there's free parking. This event takes place in a parking lot between Highlander Way Middle School and the freshman campus of Howell High School.

General Balloonfest parking is $12 a day, or $20 for the weekend. The other events listed below are free, unless so noted.

From 4 p.m. until the day's events close, visit the arts festival (which also includes varied entertainment from 5-6:30 p.m.) or the Landing Zone, a creative area for kids of all ages.

A skydiving show is featured at 5 p.m.; the Dazzling Mills perform acrobatic and juggling feats on the balloon launch field. Other events include entertainment in the dining area from 5-8:30 p.m.

The highlights of the day, however, are the mass balloon launch, which takes place from 6-8 p.m. and a fireworks display at dusk.