Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival
Aug. 23-25 – Friday, 3:30-11 p.m.; Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The town of Lincoln puts on a grand threeday festival each summer. Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival kicks off Friday, Aug. 23, with a lights-and-siren parade at 3:30 p.m., snaking from downtown to the Logan County airport. Basically, the airport is where the balloon part of the festival takes place; the downtown square is where the art part of the festival takes place.
Out at the airport, a sea of colorful balloons will wow you. Organizers encourage guests to walk among the balloons and talk with the pilots. But you’ll really want to grab a seat for balloon launches and glows, or better yet, go for a ride. You can pay for a trip up in a balloon early on Saturday and Sunday morning. Make your reservation now via the Chamber, 217-735-2385. Rides are available on a first come, first served basis and are $250. Tethered rides are also available for $15 starting at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Or watch all 34 hot air balloons launch Friday and Saturday night at 6 p.m. and Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m. Or view the majestic glows at dusk on Friday and Saturday night. Balloons inflate remaining tethered to the ground as an announcer interacts with the pilots who in turn light up their balloons.
Even though the balloons are a main attraction at the airport, there’s an array of other activities on the grounds. Live entertainment takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings. For the family, there’s a carnival, including fun games and rock climbing. The beer garden is the perfect setting for adults to view the balloon glows and entertainment. Seating is also available throughout the airport and in the hospitality tent. Admission to the activities at Logan County Airport is $5 and $1 for kids 10 and under. Admission wristbands are valid for Friday and Saturday. Parking is $1.
Downtown Lincoln holds its share of entertainment and activities also. A free fine art fair, craft fair and flea market provide a great opportunity to find treasures old and new. Bring a lawn chair for live entertainment on Saturday and Sunday. Or partake in the Up in Smoke on the Square barbeque, a Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned cook-off. Also, sip some wine at The Art of Wine tasting area, see some cool cars at the Railsplitter Antique Auto Club cruise-in, or find activities and kids’ games including a dual bungee jump. Other attractions are a used book sale, free trolley rides around downtown and a farmers market. If you need a ride at the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival, a free shuttle will be running between the airport and downtown.
Make sure to check out the Lincoln and Logan Chamber of Commerce website at www.lincolnillinois.com. Maps and schedules are posted along with answers to almost any question you might have about the event.
