Hot Air Balloons Will Be Soaring At Nebraska’s Annual Old West Balloon Fest

Is there anything more delightfully whimsical than the sight of colorful hot air balloons filling the sky? Every summer, hot air balloon pilots and enthusiasts gather in Scotts Bluff County for one of the nation's favorite ballooning events. The Old West Balloon Fest is an entire week of activities that include watching balloons take off and other family-friendly activities! This hot air balloon festival in Nebraska is full of photo-worthy moments for all ages, and it's sure to become your family's new favorite annual tradition. The festival takes place August 7-10, 2024 and you don't want to miss it!

If watching balloons soar sounds like your idea of a great time, you've got to check out this cool balloon festival in Mitchell.

The event features around 80 colorful hot air balloons in Nebraska. It's an entire week devoted to the fun of watching the balloons as well as the skill it takes to fly them.

The most exciting events are those where the audience gets to see dozens of balloons "glowing." Pilots light up the evening with the balloons' flames, creating a spectacle that will wow you no matter how many times you've seen it.

The Old West Balloon Fest Night Glow takes place twice over the course of the festival. Once to kick it off, and once to wrap it up!

This exciting event filled with the best Nebraska hot air balloons isn't just fun for locals. It also happens to be the U.S. Nationals Competition and determines which balloon pilots will go on to compete in the National Balloon Festival.

On two days of the festival, competitors fire up their balloons and take off into the air for the "mass ascension." The launches begin in the wee hours of morning at various locations, and throughout the day you can look to the skies to see up to dozens of balloons slowly gliding by. Keep your camera ready!

Most of us don't realize that hot air balloon piloting is a sport that takes tremendous skill to master. Navigating a floating aircraft using nothing but air currents takes a long time to learn, and this Nebraska balloon festival is where talented pilots come to show off their skills.

The competition side of the festival rates the pilots' skill in ascension, navigation, and landing. Pilots must demonstrate a variety of maneuvers to show their prowess, and the winners go on to compete at a national level.

In addition to hot air balloon watching, the festival offers food and merchandise vendors, a cornhole tournament, wiener dog races, a craft fair, and even special entertainment guests.

The festival wraps up with the closing Night Glow at Five Rocks Amphitheater. This spectacular sight caps off a whole week of magical events; it's the perfect close to a memorable festival.

Whether you visit the festival every single day, or just one, these massive balloons are absolute show-stoppers!

Have you ever been to this nationally recognized hot air balloon festival in Nebraska? Or, have you gone hot-air ballooning in Nebraska, or elsewhere? The sight of colorful hot air balloons against the backdrop of the beautiful Scottsbluff area is truly a can't-miss experience!

Note that visitors must pay for an event pass, but the price is very reasonable and allows access to the entire week's events. Learn more about this unique Nebraska hot air balloon festival on the Old West Balloon Fest website and keep up with the dates and locations of the event on the Old West Balloon Fest Facebook page.

What's your favorite festival in Nebraska? We'd love to hear about it - you may find it featured in a future story on OnlyInNebraska! Just fill out our nomination form to tell us about it.

For more warm-weather activities this season, check out this all-day floating trip! Or, head to one of Nebraska's best water parks and splash pads.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nebraska/water-parks-ne/