Hot Air Balloon Festival aims for fun at any wind speed

 FALLS CITY – The Hot Air Balloon Festival at Falls City has expanded each year since it was renewed in 2019 with its sights on having fun no matter what the wind speed.

Amber Holle of Falls City Chamber and Main Street says this year’s event, June 13-14, will be bigger and brighter than ever. Fireworks are new to show with the Falls City Airport Authority display on Friday and there is live music both Friday and Saturday, including a former Peru State College student in The Traynr Band on Friday. Saturday music features the country duo Mudbone followed by the all-hits band Honeytown.

Holle: “We want to give everyone the best chance of having an enjoyable experience. We can’t control the wind so we’ve expanded to two days, so between the two we hope to get successful flights up. Regardless, there’s still fun to be had.”

Holle said having the two-day festival doubles the chances that the weather will permit successful flights for the 12 balloons scheduled this year. A Mega Kite show is also schedule, along with inflatables and face painting for the kids.

Holle said even if high winds prevent balloon launches, the live music and nightly balloon glow promise a breath-taking experience.

Holle: “The balloon glow is little more forgiving. They can usually do that with a little bit higher wind speeds and, if you’ve never seen the balloon glow, they wait until dusk around 9 p.m. and ignite their burners and inflate the balloons and it puts on a magical glow.”

Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday.