At the festival, please visit the GUEST SERVICES tent for additional festival information!
Carolina BalloonFest FAQs
When is the Carolina BalloonFest?
The Carolina BalloonFest is always the third full Weekend in October!
The following are this year's date and times:
FRIDAY, October 18, 2023
Gate Time: Open 3 PM ~ Close 8:30 PM
SATURDAY, October 19, 2023
Gate Time: Open 7 AM ~ Close 8:30 PM
SUNDAY, October 20, 2023
Gate Time: Open 7 AM ~ Close 6 PM
The following are this year's date and times:
FRIDAY, October 18, 2023
Gate Time: Open 3 PM ~ Close 8:30 PM
SATURDAY, October 19, 2023
Gate Time: Open 7 AM ~ Close 8:30 PM
SUNDAY, October 20, 2023
Gate Time: Open 7 AM ~ Close 6 PM
Where do I park for the event?
Our parking has changed. Please visit our parking page for more details.
Will I see hot air balloons throughout the day?
Hot Air Balloon Flights are scheduled to launch only twice daily; early morning & late afternoon. Tether Rides are scheduled various times throughout the day(s).
There are 5 flights scheduled throughout the 3-day weekend. For a full event schedule, please visit this webpage.
There are 5 flights scheduled throughout the 3-day weekend. For a full event schedule, please visit this webpage.
WHAT DOES A 'WEATHER-DEPENDENT' EVENT MEAN?
Please note that our event relies on the weather when making the call for all ballooning activities including static display, tethered rides and balloon flights. The decision to inflate hot air balloons is made just prior to the scheduled ballooning activity. Individual pilots may opt out, if safety concerns and/or unfavorable weather conditions exist.
We know that the Carolina BalloonFest is a hot air balloon festival and therefore we make every effort to showcase our hot air balloons for festival guests! However, in the situation that the weather conditions prove unfavorable, we also value the safety of our pilots. The festival provides many other forms of entertainment in the case of inclement weather that prevents balloon flights, such as live entertainment, NC Wine and Beer Garden, kids zone, artisan and marketplace village, and so much more. Feel free to explore our website to learn more about these activities.
We know that the Carolina BalloonFest is a hot air balloon festival and therefore we make every effort to showcase our hot air balloons for festival guests! However, in the situation that the weather conditions prove unfavorable, we also value the safety of our pilots. The festival provides many other forms of entertainment in the case of inclement weather that prevents balloon flights, such as live entertainment, NC Wine and Beer Garden, kids zone, artisan and marketplace village, and so much more. Feel free to explore our website to learn more about these activities.
How does the Flight Director communicate flight conditions to everyone?
The “Balloonmeister” and pilots use a flag system which is near the launch field. What do the flags on the launch field mean? RED means that the field is closed for free flight. YELLOW means flights are on hold. GREEN means the field is open for free flight.
What is the difference between an Ascension and a Fly Over on the festival Schedule?
Pilots prepare to inflate and ascend from the festival field during an ascension. Three weekend ascensions are scheduled on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 4-5:30 p.m.
A flyover is when pilots launch their balloons from remote and strategic areas around the Statesville area and navigate the winds to fly over the festival field while guests watch the pilots accomplish competition tasks Two weekend flyovers are scheduled on Saturday and Sunday morning. The launch window is 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
A flyover is when pilots launch their balloons from remote and strategic areas around the Statesville area and navigate the winds to fly over the festival field while guests watch the pilots accomplish competition tasks Two weekend flyovers are scheduled on Saturday and Sunday morning. The launch window is 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
What are ticket prices?
Please visit our ticket page to view our prices, and a description of the tickets.
How do I Book A Ride for a Hot Air Balloon Flight?
What are additional festival attractions throughout each day?
Please visit our Schedule of Events page for entertainment & daily attractions between early morning & late afternoon hot air balloon launches! In addition to the hot air balloons, our festival provides many other forms of entertainment such as live entertainment, NC Wine and Beer Garden, kids zone, artisan and marketplace village, and so much more. Feel free to explore our website to learn more about these activities.
What are tether rides and how much are they?
To learn more about tether rides, visit this webpage. Tether ride pilots accept cash only. You cannot pre-purchase a tether ride; this attraction is first-come, first-serve. The 2024 cost is to be determined. Children (ages 12 and under) must be accompanied by an adult.
What is a walk-in balloon and how much does it cost?
Our walk-in balloon attraction, located in the kids zone, is a full-size hot air balloon, blow up and laid on its side for children and adults to explore. This is truly an experience. The cost of entry for this attraction is $2 a person.
How much does the kids zone cost and what is in it?
Our kids zone features inflatables, Imagine Circus and so much more. The best part? It's free! Visit the Kids Zone page for more information.
Do Children get free admission into the festival?
Children 6 and under receive free entry into the festival but will need a ticket. If sold out, children will not get in if they don't have a ticket.
Do you provide a military discount?
On the Sunday of the festival, all active and retired military with a valid military ID get free entry into the festival.
What items are allowed into the festival?
Bring cameras, lawn chairs and blankets and small umbrellas to bask in the beautiful Carolina autumn weather. Patrons may also bring unopened bottled water and snacks in a small bag. **However, all bags will be checked upon entry.
What items are not permitted?
Pets, large coolers, weapons, drones, pop-up canopies, large umbrellas.
Are vendor opportunities available?
Yes! To be a vendor at the Carolina BalloonFest, visit our vendor interest page.
How do I register to be a volunteer?
Visit our volunteer page and fill out an inquiry form. We would love to have you as a volunteer!
How do I camp in my rv at the festival?
Visit our RV page for further instruction.
Where are lodging locations in the Greater Statesville area?
Discover Lodging & Camping and much more about Statesville at visit.statesvillenc.com.
Can I get a refund?
Our festival has a no-refund policy. We do our best to provide our patrons with an overall excellent experience however as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, we do not provide refunds.
Is the Carolina BalloonFest a non-profit?
Yes! As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, a portion of all ticket proceeds are donated to community non-profits and agencies on a yearly basis. So everytime you buy a ticket to the Carolina BalloonFest, you are making a difference in the community. To learn more about the festival, visit our about us page.
I've lost something at the festival. Where can I go?
Our festival's Lost & Found is located in the Guest Services Tent.
About Hot Air Balloons & Flights
Why do flights take place only in the morning and the late afternoon?
Balloons need stable winds to operate effectively and the hours just following sunrise and approximately 2 hours before sunset are the best for finding these winds. Since balloons move with the air, the weather is very important in deciding whether or not to fly. The pilot chooses a launch site to use the wind currents to fly towards a suitable landing site. A balloon flies better in cooler weather, as the hot air gets a better ‘lift’.
How is the balloon inflated?
When the time comes to put the balloon up, the envelope is removed from the bag and laid out in a long line. The burners are attached to the uprights, and the basket is attached to the cables on the bottom of the envelope. An engine driven fan is used to inflate the envelope with cold air. When partially inflated, the air is heated by a burner and the envelope rises above the basket. With further heating, there is sufficient 'lift' for the balloon to fly.
What kind of fuel is used for the burners?
To heat the air, the burners are fueled by propane gas, much the same as you probably use in your backyard barbecue grill. The burners do not run continuously; they are only used intermittently to heat the air to maintain the required lift.
How large are hot air balloons?
Most balloons are larger than your house. They hold from 19,000 to 211,000 cubic feet of air and loom from 50 to 100 feet tall. The average balloon height is 70 feet.
how far do balloons fly?
It depends on the wind speed. Hot Air Balloons travel with the wind and an hour flight can carry it up to 15 miles, sometimes more, sometimes less. The balloon also flies at different altitudes. Although the balloon is at the mercy of the wind when it comes to direction, the vertical control of a balloon can be very precise. It is not unusual for our pilots to be able to brush the bottom of the basket across the tops of brush, or inches from the ground A leaf picked from a treetop is a very worthwhile souvenir of the flight!
How high do balloons fly?
Most balloonists enjoy low level flight. The typical balloon flight would be anywhere from tree level to about 3,000 feet above the ground.
How does the chase crew know where they are?
Radios are used to stay in contact with the chase crew as well as with Air Traffic Control and other aircraft flying in the vicinity.
Who can fly a balloon?
The Federal Aviation Administration issues a Balloon Pilot Certificate to candidates who pass an FAA written examination, obtain a prescribed number of hours in a balloon, make a solo flight to altitude, pass a flight test, and submit a medical statement.
How does a pilot steer a balloon?
A hot air balloon goes wherever the wind takes it. However, pilots can seek higher or lower altitudes to find wind currents of various directions – another form of sailing!
What are the best conditions for flight in a balloon?
A balloon flies better in cooler weather since the hot air gets a better "lift." Balloonists usually fly just after dawn or before dusk, because there is less wind at these times.
Is it cold in a balloon?
At high altitude, it is colder than at ground level, generally 3.5 degrees colder for each 1,000 feet of altitude.
What kind of fabric is the balloon made of?
The colorful envelope is usually made of nylon or polyester, the same type of cloth that parachutes are made of. It is very tightly woven and is coated with a material that makes it very air tight. The nylon is only used to keep the hot air in the balloon. The basket load is transferred by steel or Kevlar cables to a series of vertical load tapes which carry the load. Balloons range in size from about 54,000 cubic feet for a one- or two-person balloon to over 250,000 cubic feet for a balloon capable of carrying a pilot plus eight or ten passengers.
Why is the basket made of wicker?
The wicker basket has proven to be very strong for its weight and is flexible. The wicker is sometimes woven around a steel or aluminum frame, which helps to support the upright posts upon which the burner is mounted. The top rim of the basket and the uprights are usually padded and covered in suede or leather.
About Balloon Races & Competitions
As in most sports there is a way that you can compete against other balloons in a test of skill. Ballooning is a little different in that it does not rely on speed like most other aircraft. Balloons travel at the same speed as the wind, therefore all balloons travel at approximately the same speed. If there was to be a competition based on airspeed alone, it would be a draw between all competitors. It is still, however, not that simple. The target is usually identified by a large cross with 30 feet in length. Balloons are approximately 50 feet tall, 35 feet in diameter, and there can be up to 100 in a competition. It seems impossible to fit that many balloons in a single target. Because of this, weighted streamers (markers) are used as a substitute for landing. These markers are thrown at the target from any height and the closest marker to the target wins that task. One flight can have up to 4 tasks, which means the pilots and their teams are working overtime to complete the flight with a good point score.
How do balloons compete? Balloon pilots compete against each other based on accuracy. The object is to get the closest to a target set by a third party, in this case, the competition director. The closest to the target gets the most points and over several flights this leads to an overall winner. f you can't steer a balloon, how accurate can you be? Balloons are amazingly agile aircraft for their size. Although you can't steer them in the conventional manner, you can "steer" them by using different wind directions at different altitudes. Wind direction in not exactly the same as you go up, sometimes there can be minor deviations in direction, at other times there is considerable "steerage" available for the pilot to use. Pilots ascertain this direction through a device called a "windreader" which uses a theodolite hooked to a computer to track the climb rate and direction change of a small helium filled balloon.
By using the different directions, top level pilots are amazingly accurate and it is not uncommon to have 20-30 pilots closer than 3 feet from the center of the target from distances as far as 5 miles away. Learn more about the hot air balloon competitions here.
How do balloons compete? Balloon pilots compete against each other based on accuracy. The object is to get the closest to a target set by a third party, in this case, the competition director. The closest to the target gets the most points and over several flights this leads to an overall winner. f you can't steer a balloon, how accurate can you be? Balloons are amazingly agile aircraft for their size. Although you can't steer them in the conventional manner, you can "steer" them by using different wind directions at different altitudes. Wind direction in not exactly the same as you go up, sometimes there can be minor deviations in direction, at other times there is considerable "steerage" available for the pilot to use. Pilots ascertain this direction through a device called a "windreader" which uses a theodolite hooked to a computer to track the climb rate and direction change of a small helium filled balloon.
By using the different directions, top level pilots are amazingly accurate and it is not uncommon to have 20-30 pilots closer than 3 feet from the center of the target from distances as far as 5 miles away. Learn more about the hot air balloon competitions here.
Learn More About Hot Air Ballooning |