Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival

Friday, Aug. 26 through Sunday, Aug. 28

The Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival is one of the most strikingly beautiful and colorful festivals in central Illinois. It takes place for a full weekend in Lincoln at multiple sites including downtown on the square and in nearby Latham Park and Scully Park, at the Postville Courthouse State Historic Site at 914 Fifth Street and at the Logan County Airport, less than a mile east of I-55.

A parade kicks off the festival on Friday, Aug. 26, at 3:30 p.m. winding its way through downtown Lincoln (located in the southeast part of town) and ending at the airport.

The hot air balloons are located at the airport, along with a carnival, beer and wine garden, entertainment and food court. Balloons will make morning and evening flights both Friday and Saturday. You can take a tethered balloon ride on Aug. 27 or 28, weather per mitting, for $10-$5.

Downtown you’ll want to catch the art show, craft and flea market, barbecue, family games, Illinois wine tasting, used book sale, farmers market, a car show from 1-4 p.m. and more. To get from park to park, take a carriage ride for $5, $2 for children 12 and under.

On Sunday, Aug. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. a free 1800s Craft Fair takes place at the Postville Courthouse. Re-enactors will demonstrate rug hooking, rope making, spinner-weaving, quilting, blacksmithing, coppering, wood dying, candle making and more. Talk to a herbalist and an 1840s buck skinner and enjoy the music of several groups. You can also tour the courthouse where Lincoln practiced law.

For complete details about this popular annual festival, visit www.lincolnillinois.com/abf.aspx.