Get ready to look up as hot air balloons of different shapes and colors float across the Plano skyline Sept. 18 to 21.
The Plano Balloon Festival marks its 46th anniversary this year, with more than 30 balloons set to take flight at the Red Tail Pavilion at Oak Point Park.
“It’s a nice, large facility for us to use, and there’s enough room for the balloons to come out, inflate, and fly,” said Jo Via, who is the executive director of the H-E-B Central Market Plano Balloon Festival.
All of the festival fun begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday and ends on Sunday at 11 a.m. The highlights of the weekend include the REMAX skydivers; the Classic Car Club Show; the Balloon Glow, taking place at night; the Balloon Launch in the morning; and the Spectacular Pyrotex Fireworks Show.
There will also be live music by the Plano Symphony Orchestra, Midtown 10 Band, the Children’s Chorus of Collin County, Shaolin Wu-Yi Institute and the ICE House Band.
There will be booths selling food and merchandise along Spring Creek Parkway, from Jupiter Road to Parker Road. There will also be a Kid’s Corner, with art activities and games.
An estimated 100,000 people are expected at this year’s festival.
People can park in Collin College, First United Methodist Church and Community Unitarian Universalist Church for $15 per car. Off-site parking will be at the Plano Event for $10 per car. There will also be free private bus service from the DART station at Parker Road and Archerwood Street.
“What gives us joy is seeing families come to the festival, and watching kids in awe of these giant balloons,” Via said. “Seeing those little smiles and families enjoying the festival is 100% our favorite thing.”
Details: Sept. 18 from 5 to 10 p.m., Sept. 19 from 4 to 10 p.m., Sept. 20 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sept. 21 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Red Tail Pavilion at Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano. Tickets are free for children under 36 inches, $5 for children 12 and under and for senior citizens, and $10 for adults.
The Go See DFW calendar is a partnership between KERA and The Dallas Morning News.
Arts Access is an arts journalism collaboration powered by The Dallas Morning News and KERA.