South County Hot Air Balloon Festival

SC Balloon Festival back in the South County Skies

On July 20-22 the Wakefield Rotary will host

The South County 34th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival

The 34th annual South County Hot Air Balloon Festival returns for its quiet, colorful sky ballet on July 20-22 at the URI Athletic Fields on Route 138 in South Kingstown.

Approximately 15 balloonists will show off their balloons Friday and Saturday evening with the Balloon Glow accompanied by a Friday evening concert and fireworks on Saturday night.

Much of the action takes place above ground level. Balloons, fireworks, a human cannonball, but there is plenty to do and see on the ground as well.

Approximately 15 balloonists will show off their balloons starting Friday evening with the Balloon Glow. The balloonists give tethered rides during the glow, meaning the balloons are tied to the ground and fly about 150 feet off the ground. The flames that heat the balloons also light them up, giving off a warm “glow” in the darkening sky Friday and Saturday night. Longer rides can be negotiated for Saturday and Sunday with the individual pilots. The festival was rated a Top 20 Rhode Island event by Yankee Magazine in 2011 and again for 2012.

During the Friday evening glow, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band will perform, and anyone at the festival can enjoy the music, spread out blankets or relax in a lawn chair while eating dinner from the numerous food vendors.

There is plenty to do at the fields throughout the weekend. Bwana Jim will host his Wild Animal Show each day and the Cannon Lady will provide thrills as she is shot through the air several times each day. Try fishing at the Catch & Release pond, take a pony ride, visit the petting zoo, or watch the radio controlled airplanes and other shows and demonstrations.

In its three decades in existence, the Balloon Festival has grown from a small gathering of balloon enthusiasts to a full-fledged Rhode Island summer fair, complete with carnival rides and games, overnight RV camping and arts and crafts shows.

During Saturday evening a Balloon Glow at dusk followed by Fireworks set to music by the Wakefield Concert Band to cap the night at 9 p.m.

BBQ fans can watch the first Annual Rhode Island State BBQ Championship on Sunday. Local grilling champs will vie for the top spot and a chance to head to Tennessee in August for the Kansas City Barbeque Society National Barbeque championship in Jack Daniels Hollows, in August.

 Admission to the festival for adults is $10 and children 14 and under $5, all weekend. Families (mom, dad and kids) are $25.  Parking is free. RV camping is available on site.

 Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Wakefield. This event has raised over $1,000,000 with the help of your support. All proceeds go to local scholarships and charities.

For more information visit www.southcountyballoonfest.com.