Balloon Festival Rainbows Back in the South County skies

On July 16-18 the Wakefield Rotary will host

The South County 32nd Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival

Rainbows of color are set to take off into the sky at the 32nd annual South County Hot Air Balloon Festival on July 16-18 at the URI Athletic Fields on Route 138 in South Kingstown. New this year the Flying Pages Trapeze Act, a family of aerialists, will perform several shows during the weekend.

The stars of the event are, of course, the balloons. 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.

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. Magically Medieval will put on magic shows each day. Try fishing at the Catch & Release pond, take a pony ride, visit the petting zoo, 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.

During Saturday evening a Balloon Glow at dusk followed by Fireworks set to music to cap the night at 9:15 p.m. Cajun Music by Occidental Gypsy Quartet and Planet Zydeco, the South County Chamber of Commerce Golf Ball Drop and storytellers are sure to make an eventful Sunday afternoon.

Admission to the festival for adults is $10 and children 14 and under $5, all weekend. Families (mom, dad and kids) are $25. Tickets available at the gate or in advance at the YMCA of South County.  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.