Up, Up and Away at the South County Balloon Festival

If you’re looking for some weekend fun that also supports a good cause this July, the South County Rotary Club has just the event for you, complete with hot air balloons, trapeze acts, kooky animal handlers and more! You can find all this at The South County’s 39th Annual Balloon Festival. This event runs from July 21 through the 23 and has a wide spectrum of activities for the whole family.

Attractions include live acts, cars shows, carnival rides and of course, a ride in the sky in a tethered hot air balloon. Tethered balloon rides run from 7 – 9pm Friday through Sunday and 6 – 8am on Saturday and Sunday. These tethered balloon rides are a steal at  just $20, and tickets can be bought at the grounds prior to the (weather permitting) ride.

Free activities for kids include a mock fishing pond, where the young ones can cast their own pole and hook a plastic guppy, train rides around the festival and a bouncy house (unfortunately for children only)! But the fun doesn’t stop there. The little ones can test their climbing skills on the rock wall or embrace their animal spirit with some face painting (I’m not sure if this one’s only for the kids, but I’m totally asking).

Even if you’re lacking in enthusiasm for these picturesque airships, there’s still plenty more entertainment in store. Husband and wife daredevil stunt team, Haz and Natasha Winn, come from eight generations of circus performers and are gracing the … air? … of the South County Balloon Festival with their courageous gravity defying act. Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show is also something not to miss, with the promise of a crazy fun educational wildlife performance and the possibility of seeing a fennec fox or barred owl. Be sure to keep an eye out for this informative critter handler. Last, but certainly not least, the third featured performer is funny man Robert Clarke who will be entertaining the crowds with his comedy,  magic and baller juggling skills. All three of these performances will occur each day of the festival. Times are posted on the SC Balloon Festival website and vary by day.

This event is volunteer planned and run and has donated over 1 million dollars to local and global charities over the past 38 years! These include charities such as the R.I. Community Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, R.I. Special Olympics and many other great causes you can find listed on their website. If you’re looking to be a part of this rewarding experience, volunteer spots are still open. Questions about volunteering can be sent to volunteer@scballoonfest.com

The South County Balloon Festival is one of the most anticipated events in South County. Don’t just take my word for it. Go check out all the action for yourself and make sure I’m not just full of hot air!