4th Annual Grand Rapids Balloon Festival: Up, up and away

Summer is the best time to roam because the days are long, offering lots of opportunities to stay outside and enjoy the weather.

As an added bonus to the blue skies and fluffy clouds comes the return of the 4th Annual Grand Rapids Balloon Festival held on the Hudsonville Fairgrounds.

On both days, Friday and Saturday evening (and depending on the weather) the balloon launch of 20 hot air balloons will take place at approximately 8 p.m. 

If your goal is to see the balloons filled with air but also have an opportunity to see them up close, then organizers recommend arriving by 6 p.m. to ensure you don’t miss this experience. 

To keep the event lively and fun, the Grand Rapids Balloon Festival presents live music from May Erlewine and George Moss on Friday night, then on Saturday the music of Boy From School, The Lasting Hope, and more.

Hungry? Then the Balloon Festival has you covered with pizza from Flo’s Pizzeria (Plainfield Ave.), D & C Express Pit Stop, Maui Wowi Grand Rapids, and Wagner’s Ice Cream. 

Other activities include helicopter rides from Intrepid Helicopters, the Critter Barn, Inflatables from Inflatable Frenzy, Balloons by Jake, The Balloon Guy/Jim Perry,  MiPhotoBooth, Maciek The Magician, Wine and Canvas Grand Rapids (modified to Cookies & Canvas for this family-friendly event), kids games, and even a chance to walk inside a RE/MAX hot air balloon for $1. 

Proceeds from the RE/MAX hot air balloon walk benefit the festival charities of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, and D.A. Blodgett St. John’s Home.