ZACHARY, La. (BRPROUD) — Cross off riding in a hot air balloon from your bucket list at the Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival in August.
The festival will be on Saturday, Aug. 12 at BREC Zachary Community Park located at 20055 Old Scenic Hwy. It’s free admission, with the festival open from 4-10 p.m.
There will be plenty of fun activities like games, face painting, mechanical bull riding and arts and crafts vendors and food trucks to eat from. The Eddie Smith Band will hit the stage from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Experience what it’s like to be in a hot air balloon with tethered rides set for 6-10 p.m. Tickets for rides are $20 for adults and $15 for kids younger than12. According to Shawnel Hebert, who is part of the Really Hot Air Balloon Team, rides are about three to five minutes long.
After the sun goes down, there will be a balloon glow from 8-9 p.m. Pilots light up their burners, making the hot air balloons light up like lightbulbs, Herbert said.
Six pilots will be at this year’s festival, Herbert said. Four will be stationary for the balloon glow while the other two will offer tethered rides. All balloon activities are tentative and weather dependent.
Festival organizers said lawn chairs and blankets are allowed, however, no ice chests can be brought in. Parking will be available at Zachary Youth Park, South Plains Food Company and Fellowship Church.
