Hot Air Balloons Will Be Soaring At Nebraska’s Annual Old West Balloon Fest
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 events that include watching balloons take off and tons of other family-friendly activities.
Is there anything more delightfully whimsical than the sight of colorful hot air balloons filling the sky? If watching balloons soar sounds like your idea of a great time, you've got to check out the Old West Balloon Fest in Scotts Bluff County.
The event features around 80 colorful balloons and their pilots. 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 isn't just a fun local event. It also happens to be the US Nationals Competition, which will determine 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. The launches begin early in the morning at various locations, and throughout the day you can look to the skies to see up to 80 balloons gliding by.
Most of us don't realize that hot air balloon piloting is actually a sport that takes tremendous skill to master. Navigating a floating aircraft using nothing but air currents takes a long time to learn, and the Old West Balloon Fest is where talented pilots come to show off their skills.
The competition side of the festival rates 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, weiner dog races, a craft fair, and even more fun.
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.
The sight of colorful hot air balloons against the backdrop of the beautiful Scottsbluff area is truly a can’t-miss experience. Visitors have to 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 western Nebraska event on the Old West Balloon Fest website and keep up with the dates and locations of the event on its Facebook page.
What’s your favorite festival in Nebraska? We’d love to hear about it, and you may find it featured in a future story on Only In Nebraska! Just fill out our nomination form to tell us about it.
Address: Scotts Bluff County, NE, USA
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As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
