The Great Midwest Balloon Fest is a hot air balloon festival designed for kids of all ages launching July 8-10, 2011. This year, the second annual GMBF, will feature 67 balloons, including Special Shape Balloons and Corporate Balloons almost double our inaugural year of 36 balloons.
Whether you roll out of bed early and come for the beautiful morning launches, enticed not only by the balloons, but also by the FREE Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, or come for the Early Evening Balloon Launches and spectacular Balloon Glows, you’ll witness magic happen. Thousands of people of all ages will be able to get up close and personal with the balloons and pilots. The Festival is located at the Great Mall of the Great Plains, Interstate 35 and Exit 215 (151st street) in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City.
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Admission to the 2011 Festival is $10 per person, kids 12 and under FREE. Parking is FREE. Advance Online Ticket Sales will be available from May 15-July 7. Tickets are $8 per person, kids 12 and under, FREE. Tickets are good for any of the three days of the Festival. Festival Passes are $15 per person, kids 12 and under, FREE, and are good for all three days. Hands will be stamped at the Entrance, so you may come and go on the day you attend.
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No pets are allowed at the Festival except Service Dogs.
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There is no smoking permitted at the Festival.
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Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and be sure to wear comfortable shoes for walking. There will be some bleachers for the Mounted Horse Cavalry Show courtesy of the U.S. Army Fort Riley Battalion, and some tables and chairs in the tented eating areas.
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Parking at the 2011 Great Midwest Balloon Fest is almost all on pavement and there’s lots of it, but traffic can be congested. Be sure to leave plenty of time and COME EARLY! In addition, SHUTTLES WILL RUN EVERY 15 MINUTES and be available throughout the Festival Weekend. For more information about parking and shuttle service, visit our Parking page.
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There is a Main Stage with bands, speakers, special guests and headliners. There is also a Kid’s Stage featuring special children’s entertainment for preschoolers and older kids. Radio Disney is providing some special entertainers for the festival.
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The most crowds usually are there for the balloon mass ascensions and the glows so come when the gates open. The gates open at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 8. On Saturday a.m., the gates open at 5:30 a.m. The field shuts down after the morning launch and competition and re-opens at noon. Come early in the day and stay for the fun, the launches, glows and fabulous entertainment and activities. That way you can make sure of getting a good parking place and avoid the crowds. Same schedule on Sunday, and the crowds aren’t usually as big.
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Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and comfortable shoes are musts for a fun summer festival experience.
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Balloons need stable winds to operate effectively and the hours just following sunrise and approximately 2 hours before sunset are the best for finding these winds. Since balloons move with the air, the weather is very important in deciding to whether or not to fly. The pilot chooses a launch site to use the wind currents to fly towards a suitable landing site.
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Most balloonists enjoy low level flight. The typical balloon flight would be anywhere from tree level to about 3,000 feet above the ground.
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Tickets can be purchased in advance at area Hy-Vee stores or online. Tickets can also purchased the days of the event, July 8-10, 2011. Tickets are available at the gate through cash purchase only. Tickets can also be purchased in advance through July 7, 2011 via credit card, check or cash.
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The tickets are good for any of the three days of the festival. So, for example, if it rains on Friday, come on Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather that weekend! This is a not for profit event and the money from the ticket sales goes to our four charities and to cover the festival's expenses. Therefore, all ticket sales are final, i.e. no refunds, regardless of the weather.
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