Pandemic Deflates Hot Air Balloon Festival

FALLS CITY – The Hot Air Balloon Festival in Falls City has been canceled due to COVID-19.

Falls City Chamber and Main Street renewed the festival last year after a 24-year hiatus and Chamber Director Amber Holle said the crowds were bigger than they ever dreamed.

With the experience of having over 5,000 spectators at Brenner Field, organizers planned for new parking areas, transportation shuttles and strategic locations for music, vendors and balloons.

Holle said there was just no way to plan the event under social distancing guidelines that had limited gatherings to 10 people and now to 25, so the revived balloon festival will have to wait until 2021 for lift off.

Holle said the coronavirus pandemic has been difficult for the chamber, but the Hot Air Balloon continues to receive large regional interest and organizational help from balloon pilots.