BUY WRISTBANDS HERE:
BALLOON FEST PARK SCHEDULE
Must wear wristband to enter Foundation Park.
Friday, August 16
(Park Hours 3:00pm - 10:00pm)
3:00pm - Opening Ceremony with Centralia High School Band & Choir
5:30pm - Evening Balloon Flight (ALL BALLOONS FLY)
6:00pm - Tethered Balloon Rides - $20 per person
7:30pm - Balloon Glow
8:30pm - Headlining Entertainment: Taylor Made - A Tribute to Taylor Swift
Saturday, August 17
(Park Hours 3:00pm - 10:00pm)
3:00pm - Opening Entertainment: Kaylee Rose
5:30pm - POW/MIA Veterans Freedom Flight
6:00pm - Tethered Balloon Rides - $20 per person
7:30pm - Balloon Glow (ALL BALLOONS GLOW)
8:30pm -Headlining Entertainment: Josh Gracin
Sunday, August 18
(Park Hours 12:00pm - 6:00pm)
All Day FREE Family Fun Day
Kids Activities - Selfie Scavenger Hunt - Photo Opportunities - Costumed Characters
12:00pm-3:00pm - Cardboard Boat Race Registration and Building
12:00pm - Southern Illinois Elite Tumble and Cheer
1:00pm-4:00pm - Car & Motorcycle Cruise-In
2:00pm-3:00pm - Cardboard Boat Races
3:00pm-4:30pm - Afternoon Entertainment: TBD
5:30pm - Evening Balloon Flight (LOCAL PILOTS)
SPONSORED BY:
FULL SCHEDULE OF ALL HOT AIR BALLOON EVENTS
Wednesday, August 14
5:30pm - Crew Training in Foundation Park
Thursday, August 15
5:30pm - Evening Flight for Media and Volunteers
Friday, August 16
6:00am - Morning Flight for Media and Volunteers
5:30pm - Evening Flight from Foundation Park (ALL FLY)
6:00pm-10:00pm - Tethered Balloon Rides in Foundation Park
7:30pm - Balloon Glow in Foundation Park
Saturday, August 17
6:00am - Morning Flight over Centralia
5:30pm - Veterans Freedom Flight from Foundation Park
6:00pm-10:00pm - Tethered Balloon Rides in Foundation Park
7:30pm - Balloon Glow in Foundation Park (ALL GLOW)
Sunday, August 18
6:00am - Morning Flight over Centralia
5:30pm - Evening Flight from Foundation Park (Local Balloons)
Scheduled times are approximate and subject to change due to weather and safety conditions.
Flight paths and landing spots depend on weather conditions, wind speeds, and wind directions.
2024 HOT AIR BALLOON LINE-UP
Centralia Balloon Fest
August 16-17-18, 2024
Wristband gives Admission - good for all weekend!
Wristbands available at event gates (Cash Only)
or skip the line and purchase in advance at various locations or online.
(Free admission to kids under 2 years old.)
No pets. No alcohol. No coolers. No unauthorized vehicles.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and sunscreen!
PARKING LOTS
$5 per car at North Entrance (Cash Only)
1490 Gragg St, Centralia, IL 62801
Additional parking for $5 per car:
Centralia Cultural Society, 1250 E. Rexford (Walking Path to North Entrance)
Foundation Church, 1606 E. McCord (Hwy 161 / SCT Entrance)
Trinity Lutheran Grade School and Church, 203 S. Pleasant (Pleasant Street Entrance)
Boxd Storage, 1422 E. McCord (Pleasant Street Entrance)
AND handicap accessible SCT shuttle* to Foundation Park from City Hope Church, 1000 E. Second St. (Free Parking)
Shuttle is $1 per person on Friday and Saturday from 3:00pm-10:00pm
or walk 5 blocks to Pleasant Street Entrance.
”SCT Shuttle is equipped with lifts, ramps, and securement systems for persons with mobility impairments.”
Other parking may be available from surrounding businesses. Please pay attention to posted “no parking” signs.
Centralia Balloon Fest began in 1990 and has developed into a full weekend of entertainment, family-fun, and beautiful photo opportunities. We encourage our 30,000 visitors to See Centralia, visit our local restaurants and businesses, and enjoy a magical weekend in Southern Illinois with hot air balloons.
We want to thank our hot air balloon sponsors, activity and entertainment sponsors, and hundreds of volunteers who make this event happen! Centralia Balloon Fest is a community event made only possible by the support of our community, businesses, and individuals.
Foundation Park - Centralia, IL
This is the official site for CENTRALIA BALLOON FEST ®, which is the intellectual property of The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce (www.centraliachamber.com, www.centraliaballoonfest.com, www.balloon-fest.com).
“Balloon Fest ®” is registered with the State of Illinois, registration # 104485. Use of “Balloon Fest” name must be in expressed written consent from The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce.
All times and events are subject to change. Adverse weather may prevent hot air balloons from flying.
"Balloon Glow" is a registered trademark of Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, used with permission.