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Schedule

Schedule

Our 2026 Schedule

Our schedule is packed with excitement and things to do. Like us on Facebook for updates leading up to and during the event.

Thursday June 25th

  • 4-9 PM Kid Fun Zone (Kid Zone) – Inflatables, Princesses, RC excavators, balloon animals, Bookmobile, face paint, glitter tattoos, Axe Throwing, and more! Activity times vary, specific times listed in the event guide
  • 4-10 PM Food Vendors (Concessions) – Many to choose from!
  • 4-9 PM Merchant Tents – Featuring local businesses & boutique vendors
  • 4-9 PM Monster Truck Rides (Monster Truck Zone) – $10 per person, rides are first come, first serve with Gearheart’s Garage & 4×4
  • 5-8 PM VIP Reception (VIP Tent) for all sponsors and pilots – tickets required.
  • 5-9 PM SB Music – Live musical entertainment (Mechanics Bank Stage)
  • 6:15 PM OPENING CEREMONIES (Mechanics Bank Stage) – Ashland Veteran’s Color Guard
  • 6:30 PM Balloon Lift Off in Memory of Dr. Mary MacDonald (Launch Field) – Enjoy the cold inflation process as pilots and crew prepare hot air balloons to take flight.
  • 8:15 PM Balloon Glow Encounter (Launch Field) – Tickets for Reserved Premier Seating can be purchased HERE.
  • 9:15 PM OhioHealth Balloon Glow (Launch Field) – Enjoy an interactive display as hot air balloons line the launch field and glow against the night sky choreographed to music.

Friday June 26th

  • Around 7 AM Balloon Lift Off in Memory of Dr. Mary MacDonald (Launch Field) – Bring your chairs, coffee & blankets to Freer Field to watch!
  • 11:30 AM -1:30 PM Food Trailer Friday (Concessions) – Food Trailers will be open for Lunch, free parking!
  • 4-5 PM Kites! (Info Tent) – Come grab a kite to fly!
  • 4-9 PM Helicopter Rides (Helicopter Zone) – $60 per person (cash or card), rides are first come, first serve with Interpid Helicopters
  • 4-9 PM Kid Fun Zone (Kid Zone) – Inflatables, Princesses, RC excavators, balloon animals, Bookmobile, face paint, glitter tattoos, Axe Throwing, and more! Activity times vary, specific times listed in the event guide
  • 4-10 PM Food Vendors (Concessions) – Many to choose from!
  • 4-9 PM Merchant Tents – Featuring local businesses & boutique vendors
  • 4-9 PM Monster Truck Rides (Monster Truck Zone) – $10 per person, rides are first come, first serve with Gearheart’s Garage & 4×4
  • 5-9 PM Wood Carvers (Wood Carving Zone) – Come watch live chainsaw carving demonstrations with Bear Hollow Wood Carvers! Presented by Bill Harris Auto Center & The Chevy Network.
  • 5-9 PM Emily Raff – Live musical entertainment (Mechanics Bank Stage)
  • 6:30 PM Balloon Lift Off in Memory of Dr. Mary MacDonald (Launch Field) – Enjoy the cold inflation process as pilots & crew prepare hot air balloons to take sponsors & VIPs for a ride.
  • 6:30-9 PM Tethered Balloons Rides (Tether Zone) – $25 per person, rides are first come, first serve with Xclusive Balloons
  • 8:15 PM Balloon Glow Encounter (Launch Field) – Tickets for Reserved Premier Seating can be purchased HERE.
  • 9:15 PM OhioHealth Balloon Glow (Launch Field) – Enjoy an interactive display as hot air balloons line the launch field and glow against the night sky choreographed to music.

Saturday June 27th

  • Around 7 AM Balloon Lift Off in Memory of Dr. Mary MacDonald (Launch Field) – Bring your chairs, coffee & blankets to Freer Field to watch!
  • 6:30-8:30 AM Tethered Balloons Rides (Tether Zone) – $25 per person, rides are first come, first serve with Xclusive Balloons
  • 8-4 PM Grashland Volleyball Tournament by AVBC (Volleyball Zone) – Come play some volleyball! More information available on the AVBC Facebook page
  • 9 AM Ashland BalloonFest 5K (Freer Field) – http://midohiorm.com/
  • 8-12 PM Pancake Breakfast & Plane Fly-In at Ashland County Airport – enjoy pancakes and sausage with planes & skydivers. Donations accepted.
  • 10:30-2:30 PM Jeep Show (Launch Field) – Registration Begins at 10:30 AM with awards presented at 2:30 PM with Ashland Area Jeep Club
  • 12-3 PM Tom’s Kitchen Table – Live musical entertainment (Mechanics Bank Stage)
  • 12-9 PM Kid Fun Zone (Kid Zone) – Inflatables, Princesses, RC excavators, balloon animals, Bookmobile, face paint, glitter tattoos, Axe Throwing, and more! Activity times vary, specific times listed in the event guide
  • 12-10 PM Food Vendors (Concessions) – Many to choose from!
  • 1-8 PM Wood Carvers – Come watch live chainsaw carving demonstrations with Bear Hollow Wood Carvers! Presented by Bill Harris Auto Center & The Chevy Network.
  • 2-9 PM Helicopter Rides (Helicopter Zone) – $60 per person (cash or card), rides are first come, first serve with Interpid Helicopters
  • 2-9 PM Monster Truck Rides (Monster Truck Zone) – $10 per person, rides are first come, first serve with Gearheart’s Garage & 4×4
  • 4-9 PM Merchant Tents – Featuring local businesses & boutique vendors
  • 4:45-5:15 PM Pilot Meet & Greet – come meet the pilots and get signatures while learning more about hot air balloons!
  • 5-9 PM Skittlebots – Live musical entertainment (Mechanics Bank Stage)
  • 6:30 PM Balloon Lift Off in Memory of Dr. Mary MacDonald (Launch Field) – Enjoy the cold inflation process as pilots and crew prepare hot air balloons to take flight.
  • 6:30-9 PM Tethered Balloons Rides (Tether Zone) – $25 per person, rides are first come, first serve with Xclusive Balloons
  • 8:15 PM Balloon Glow Encounter (Launch Field) – Tickets for Reserved Premier Seating can be purchased HERE.
  • 9:15 PM OhioHealth Balloon Glow (Launch Field) – Enjoy an interactive display as hot air balloons line the launch field and glow against the night sky choreographed to music.

Sunday June 28th

  • Around 7 AM Balloon Lift Off in Memory of Dr. Mary MacDonald (Launch Field) –Bring your chairs, coffee & blankets to Freer Field to watch!

     

Events are subject to change. All hot air balloon activities are weather permitting and may be delayed or canceled.

For other weekend activities, visit the Ashland Area CVB www.exploreashlandohio.com

Handicap parking at Ashland University B lot with shuttle to the field