THE CARROLL COUNTY BALLOON FESTIVAL

August 28-29, 2021
1-9PM on Saturday and 1-7PM on Sunday!

Location: Carroll County Agriculture Center
706 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD 21157
Presented by Friendship Hot Air Balloon Co.

A Special Recognition Ceremony will Energize our Spectators
A “Spirit of America” tribute will take place each day at 6 PM on the launch field. Please plan to attend this special event which will honor America with a re-enactment by Scout Troop 944 of the flag raising at Iwo Jima. The Carroll Hospital Auxiliary will also be honoring the Carroll Hospital Associates who, day-after-day, tirelessly cared for COVID patients. The President of the Hospital, along with local government officials will make presentations. At the conclusion of the ceremony, there will be a mass Hot Air Balloon launch of up to 16 balloons which will rise above the crowd and fly away over beautiful Carroll County. This will be an event you will not want to miss!!

It is now time to purchase your earlybird admission ticket! Use link above in a few quick and easy steps!

Our Food Truck Participants are exceptional! One is a National Championship Professional BBQ Team. Outstanding food servings await you. Come hungry!

Daily Admission Fees We need to know Soon about how many spectators will be attending. REGISTER NOW, Please!

Adult General Admission Tickets are: -- $20 for Adults and Children 12 years and older. Child General Admission Tickets are: -- $5 for Children 6 to 12 years old. -- Free for Children under 6 years old EARLYBIRD Tickets - ON SALE NOW! GO FOR IT! See link above.

Our Maryland Hot Air Balloon Festivals from the Past Maryland Friends preparing to launch in 2019 Festivals Past - Turf Valley Resort Maryland Festivals Past- Turf Valley Maryland Festivals Past- Balloon Glow Maryland Festivals Past- Spectators up close Festivals Past- Spectators enjoying the action Maryland Festivals Past Maryland Festivals Past Maryland Festivals Past Festivals - Drone captures Many Spectators gathered around the "Hot Air Balloon Pit" Maryland Festivals Past-Getting it Hot! Guess what The Dreamstar Balloon Team did NOW! We invited 20 balloon pilot friends from all parts of the country to come to town and participate in the First Annual Balloon Festival right here in Carroll County Maryland. We met many of our Carroll County Residents over the years when landing in your "backyard" and now we want to celebrate ballooning with you on a Grand Scale. So Carroll County GET READY!

Festival Activities will include:
-- A 'Spirit of America Tribute' to take place each day at 6PM on our launch field and Spectators will be participants. You will not want to miss this one!
-Scout Troop 944 will honor America with a re-enactment of the Flag Raising at Iwo Jima.
-A Big 'THANK YOU Carroll Hospital COVID Front Line Associates' will be coordinated by the Carroll Hospital Ladies Auxiliary. It will involve Hospital Associates and a County Official.
-A Mass Hot Air Balloon Launch of up to 16 balloons will rise above the spectators and fly away over beautiful Carroll County

-- Three mass ascension flights of up to 15 hot air balloons
-- Special Shape Balloons will join in the fun
-- Passenger balloon flights - BOOK your FLIGHT NOW!
-- Tethered balloon rides
-- Walkabout balloon
-- Balloon Training Demonstration
-- Kids Zone
-- Entertainment featuring:
----- SHIFTWORK ENTERTAINMENT performing on Stage Saturday
----- The Fabulous Hubcaps Band performing on stage Sunday
-- Delicious Foods from 15 Food Vendors
-- Specialty Crafts from 60 crafters
-- Sponsors - we cannot do without!

--RUNNERS get READY for the '5K RUN/WALK AMONG BALLOONS' planned for Sunday Morning. On-Line Registration is avaliable NOW! See link at top of page.
To Benefit

Sponsored by:

HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHTS:

Come fly with us in one of our beautiful balloons. $240 per person for a 30-45 minute balloon flight. Three mass ascension flights are scheduled: Saturday 6PM, Sunday 6AM and Sunday 6PM. Passengers will be booked in advance. Experience the Wonder!

BALLOON GLOW
So what is a balloon glow?

The hot air balloon festival event now known as a balloon glow was invented in Albuquerque in 1979, when local pilots inflated balloons on Christmas Eve night as a thank you to local residents. The sight of balloons lit from within at night like giant holiday ornaments is breathtaking, and glow events are now held all over the world.

>> Volunteer Crew Registration will be available soon. What a thrill!!

TETHERED BALLOON RIDES:

A hot air balloon, tethered to the ground, will offer rides ($20 adults and $10 children under 12) up to 60 feet in the air for up to 5 minutes. No advanced booking is required.

WALKABOUT BALLOON:
Welcome Kids and Adults!

 

A non airworthy hot air balloon will be partially inflated on the ground. Children and adults will be able to venture into the center of this colorful balloon ($3 children and adults). Pay on site.

>>KIDS ZONE - Visit the Zone

Festival Attendance Guidelines: You may not bring: -- pets (service dogs are allowed) -- coolers, bottles, cans or food -- beach umbrellas -- popup tents (shady spots are available) You may bring: -- lawn chairs -- blankets

Custom Pins Specialist The Pinlady

A Message from the Balloonmeister

What does 'WEATHER PERMITTING' mean? FOR SAFE FLIGHT: 1. Winds on the surface should be less than 7 mph 2. Winds at 3000 feet should be forecasted to be less than 20 mph 3. Rain should not be in the forecast for the period of scheduled flight 4. A hot air balloon should not be in the air within 100 miles of a thunderstorm 5. Balloons launch only at sunrise and 1-3 hours before sunset The most desirable flying conditions are good visibility, light winds and no precipitation Final decision as to fly or not to fly is made 45 minutes before scheduled flight during the pilot briefing -Ron Broderick, BallooningUSA.com

Balloon Demonstration

Kids and Adults will have an opportunity to participate in a hands on FREE demonstration of "HOW BALLOONS WORK". Scheduled from 2-3:30PM Saturday & Sunday. Lead pilot/instructor is Matt Hodgdon from Mt Airy MD.

Media Partners

Carroll County Times

Lodging Headquarters

AND backup
THE BOSTON INN

>> OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS:
--- Our host hotel is The Days Inn 25 S. Cranberry Rd. Westminster.

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return." -- Leonardo da Vinci QUICK LINKS Quick Print: ---- FESTIVAL FLYER1 ---- FESTIVAL FLYER2 HEALTH DEPT - Temporary Food Permit: 3 forms are required: #1 - #2 - #3 © Content: 2021 Site development & maintenance: WebWorld Creators.