The fourth annual Balloonfest is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6 and 7, at Calkins Field, also known as the Wayland Airport north of the city limits on Division Street in Leighton Township.
Co-organizers Nissa Smith and Anthony Winters have indicated the two-day event will consist of a kids’ carnival, car show, vendor event, live music and, of course, balloon flights and a “Balloon Glow!” There also are plans to have food trucks and a meet and greet with the pilots, kids’ Bingo, a vintage baseball game, foam party, inflatable race, balloon twisting
A Memorial Walk is a new addition to this year’s Hot Air Balloonfest. This will be a walk to remember those who have passed on too soon.
“We walk to let others know they are not alone and that suicide prevention is possible,” Winters said. The funds we raise will go to support those in our community that have experienced a loss or those who may need assistance getting the care they need.”
There is a registration fee that covers visitors’ costs associated with festival activities.
Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday and the Balloon Glow will cap the day’s events at about 8:30 p.m.
A balloon flight will get under way at 7 a.m. Saturday, the Memorial Walk will be follow at 9 a.m., a car show will start at noon.
Live music will be provided by Ted Yoder, Jake Kershaw and Gunnar and the Grizzly Boys Friday. Performing Saturday afternoon and evening will be the Wayland High School jazz band, Sheer Pandemonium, the Kari Lynch Band and the band Wayland will wrap up the festivities at p.m. Saturday.
