Up, up and away with Balloon Fest this week

By Donnita Fisher

Managing Editor

At 4 p.m. Friday, May 15, the Fourth Annual Tailwind Regional Balloon Festival takes off from First Monday grounds … rain or shine.

“In the event that it does rain, or if the grounds are too wet to hold the festival, we will relocate almost all of the festival to the inside of the Canton Civic Center,” said Austin Melton, Canton Visitors Bureau coordinator. 

About 30 balloonists are expected to participate in this year’s event, the first hosted by the city of Canton on First Monday grounds. The festival takes place on the west end of the First Monday grounds.

Admission to the festival is $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free.

The balloon operators will begin the festival with competitions at 6:30 a.m. Friday. Those who wish to watch the contests can do so for free.

Activities will include vendors, kids’ area, petting zoo, carnival (with a separate fee) and pony rides (separate fee.) The band Breaking Southwest will perform at 6:30 p.m. and the balloons will take flight at 7 p.m.

To read the full article, subscribe to the Canton Herald or pick up a copy from one of our vendors.