Great Midwest Balloon Fest to be held Oct. 23-24

The Great Midwest Balloon Fest will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, 126th and State Avenue, Bonner Springs.

Balloon glows are scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The balloons will light at the same time to present a glowing effect.

Balloon fly-overs are scheduled Friday and Saturday before the balloon glows.

The family-friendly event also will include tethered rides scheduled from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Balloon Fest also has a children’s area and a beer garden with live music. A festival area includes a carnival during festival hours Friday and Saturday, as well as from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Hay rides, train rides, kite flying, arts and crafts, bounce houses, a Halloween costume contest, and a pie eating contest also are planned.

A 5K race with the balloons will be held Sunday morning in Wyandotte County Park, Bonner Springs.

Online ticket prices are $15 per person per day, and $8.50 per person age 4-14 per day. Kids 3 and younger are free.

For more information, visit http://greatmidwestballoonfest.org/.