The 21st Annual Centralia (IL) Balloonfest Aug 20-22, 2010

Colorful hot air balloons are a sight that draws people from all around, and when you can bring the hot air balloons together unto one major event, you've really got something.

Launch the Fleet!

Southern Illinois' hottest hot-air balloon event is expected to draw about 40,000 visitors the weekend of Friday-Sunday, August 20-22, 2010 to Centralia Foundation Park. The 21st Annual Balloonfest will again feature a fleet of hot air balloons and endless entertainment potential.

You can expect more than 40 hot air balloons from around the country. Aside from the fleet of brightly-colored hot air balloons will be the eye-catching special shaped balloons. In the past, this has included such as Noah's Ark with animals poking their heads above the gunwhales,

The balloons will participate in daily races as well as Friday and Saturday's dusk balloon glows next to Catfish Pond when the tethered balloons are lit up by the hot air-generating heaters starting at 7:30pm.

More Than Balloons

Naturally, there's much more than just balloons including musical entertainment, a variety of vendors, craft fair, car show (12:30-4pm Saturday), cardboard boat races at the park's Catfish Lake, child-oriented activities, and even a Friday night fireworks display.

Free entertainment includes main stage performances by country band South 70 Friday (8:30pm) and Lee Logan and The Legendary Drifters Saturday (8:30pm). There's also free entertainment under the picnic tent Friday at 4pm by Stone Hedge, and Saturday from 10am to 7pm to include children competing as part of the Balloon Fest Idol contest, the band Still Willin' and a 4pm encore performance by South 70. On Sunday, 11am to 5pm entertainment under the picnic tent includes performances by Jacks or Better and Shakey Dave.

There's a church service under the picnic tent at 8am Sunday.

A final balloon race closing out the weekend activities is Sunday at 6pm.

Admission, Parking, Information

Bring lawn chairs and cameras along with sunscreen. No pets, alcohol, coolers, bicycles, skateboards or in-line skates permitted.

Admission (north gate at Foundation Park) is $2 adult or student, children 6 and under free $5 for three-day pass. Parking is $3 daily. (A Pepsi can gets you $1 off). Handicap parking with internal handicap shuttle service is available at announced times (check the website). For charter or bus, call 1-888-2600 to reserve a parking space.

The event is sponsored by the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Office.

For information, which includes a schedule of activities, check out the website here www.balloon-fest.com/index.htm.