Festival Hours:
October 18 | Friday 3 PM ~ 8:30 PM
October 19 | Saturday 7 AM ~ 8:30 PM
October 20 | Sunday 7 AM - 6:00 PM
Schedule
View the full schedule here.
What to Bring
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. Wagons and strollers are permitted. **However, all bags will be checked upon entry.
Prohibited Items
Large hard-shell coolers, alcohol, glass, weapons, including any knife with a blade longer than 4 inches, drones, pop-up canopies, large umbrellas.
Pets
No pets, except for service animals, are permitted through the gates.
Weather Policy
Carolina BalloonFest is a rain or shine event, ensuring a variety of activities and entertainment. However, please be aware that balloon operations require specific weather conditions. Wind speed, visibility, and precipitation all play important roles in determining whether it's safe to fly. While we strive to offer balloon experiences whenever possible, safety is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility, as the weather can be unpredictable. In the unlikely event that inclement weather requires the event to be suspended, please follow announcements and instructions.
Re-Entry Policy
Carolina BalloonFest guests are permitted to leave the festival any time before the gates close but please understand that if the on-site parking lots fill up or if Park & Ride buses are halted due to festival capacity, you may not be able to re-enter the festival. If you choose to leave the festival and return at a later time that day our guest gate attendants will stamp your hand to confirm free re-entry.
Balloon Information
Tether rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation required. However, standard balloon flights must have a reservation and often sell out before the event day. We recommend checking our schedule to see when balloons are scheduled to launch. Please note that balloons are not visible throughout the entire event due to the specific weather conditions required for safe flights. Optimal flying conditions typically occur within two hours of sunrise and two hours of sunset, so plan your visit accordingly to catch the spectacular balloon displays.
Health & Safety
For your safety and enjoyment at Carolina BalloonFest, we kindly ask that you stay home if feeling unwell. You'll find hand washing stations located near the porta-jons to help maintain good hygiene. We encourage all attendees to respect others' personal space. Please protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, and remember to stay hydrated. In case of severe weather, follow instructions from event staff. First aid tent is available on site, and don't hesitate to contact staff or call 911 in an emergency. If you choose to drink alcohol, please do so responsibly and arrange for a designated driver. Keep children supervised at all times and establish a meeting point in case of separation. Lastly, for everyone's safety, always follow instructions from balloon crews and public safety personnel.
Accessibility
Carolina BalloonFest guests with the proper disability parking placard and plate will be allowed to park on festival grounds at 531 Old Airport Road, close to the main guest entrance gate. Carolina BalloonFest strives to accommodate all guests, including those with disabilities and those using wheelchairs. Please be advised that while attending the festival guests may encounter uneven surfaces which may make getting around some of the festival grounds challenging. Wheelchair-accessible porta-jons facilities are located throughout the festival. Both the on-site parking field and the event site are roughly cut, grassy fields, NOT paved.
Transportation & Parking
Access to the shuttles at the Park & Ride are included in your ticket and are located at the Iredell County Fairgrounds - 630 N. Main St., Troutman. Wheelchair-accessible shuttles will be available at the Park & Ride, located at the Iredell County Fairgrounds, to shuttle patrons back and forth to the festival. The fairgrounds are located at 630 N. Main St., Troutman. When you purchase your event ticket, at the end of the purchase, you will have the option to add-on VIP. or General Parking.
October 18 | Friday 3 PM ~ 8:30 PM
October 19 | Saturday 7 AM ~ 8:30 PM
October 20 | Sunday 7 AM - 6:00 PM
Schedule
View the full schedule here.
What to Bring
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. Wagons and strollers are permitted. **However, all bags will be checked upon entry.
Prohibited Items
Large hard-shell coolers, alcohol, glass, weapons, including any knife with a blade longer than 4 inches, drones, pop-up canopies, large umbrellas.
Pets
No pets, except for service animals, are permitted through the gates.
Weather Policy
Carolina BalloonFest is a rain or shine event, ensuring a variety of activities and entertainment. However, please be aware that balloon operations require specific weather conditions. Wind speed, visibility, and precipitation all play important roles in determining whether it's safe to fly. While we strive to offer balloon experiences whenever possible, safety is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility, as the weather can be unpredictable. In the unlikely event that inclement weather requires the event to be suspended, please follow announcements and instructions.
Re-Entry Policy
Carolina BalloonFest guests are permitted to leave the festival any time before the gates close but please understand that if the on-site parking lots fill up or if Park & Ride buses are halted due to festival capacity, you may not be able to re-enter the festival. If you choose to leave the festival and return at a later time that day our guest gate attendants will stamp your hand to confirm free re-entry.
Balloon Information
Tether rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation required. However, standard balloon flights must have a reservation and often sell out before the event day. We recommend checking our schedule to see when balloons are scheduled to launch. Please note that balloons are not visible throughout the entire event due to the specific weather conditions required for safe flights. Optimal flying conditions typically occur within two hours of sunrise and two hours of sunset, so plan your visit accordingly to catch the spectacular balloon displays.
Health & Safety
For your safety and enjoyment at Carolina BalloonFest, we kindly ask that you stay home if feeling unwell. You'll find hand washing stations located near the porta-jons to help maintain good hygiene. We encourage all attendees to respect others' personal space. Please protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, and remember to stay hydrated. In case of severe weather, follow instructions from event staff. First aid tent is available on site, and don't hesitate to contact staff or call 911 in an emergency. If you choose to drink alcohol, please do so responsibly and arrange for a designated driver. Keep children supervised at all times and establish a meeting point in case of separation. Lastly, for everyone's safety, always follow instructions from balloon crews and public safety personnel.
Accessibility
Carolina BalloonFest guests with the proper disability parking placard and plate will be allowed to park on festival grounds at 531 Old Airport Road, close to the main guest entrance gate. Carolina BalloonFest strives to accommodate all guests, including those with disabilities and those using wheelchairs. Please be advised that while attending the festival guests may encounter uneven surfaces which may make getting around some of the festival grounds challenging. Wheelchair-accessible porta-jons facilities are located throughout the festival. Both the on-site parking field and the event site are roughly cut, grassy fields, NOT paved.
Transportation & Parking
Access to the shuttles at the Park & Ride are included in your ticket and are located at the Iredell County Fairgrounds - 630 N. Main St., Troutman. Wheelchair-accessible shuttles will be available at the Park & Ride, located at the Iredell County Fairgrounds, to shuttle patrons back and forth to the festival. The fairgrounds are located at 630 N. Main St., Troutman. When you purchase your event ticket, at the end of the purchase, you will have the option to add-on VIP. or General Parking.
