and the Flying Wallendas will add an aerial dimension to the festival.

The Flying Wallendas, the famous high-wire family, are returning for a second year! They will perform up to three times each day during the festival, demonstrating their amazing balance and athleticism at the URI Athletic Fields on Route 138 in South Kingstown.

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. Longer rides can be negotiated for Saturday and Sunday with the individual pilots.

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. Try fishing at the Catch & Release pond, take a pony ride, visit the petting zoo, play in the inflatables, or watch the Airborne Jugglers 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.

Fireworks on Saturday set to music will cap the night at 9:30 p.m. The Firefighters Muster and the TriBoro Corvette Club show will be held Sunday afternoon.