Balloon Festival Returns to South County Skies

The 35th annual South County Hot Air Balloon Festival, one of Yankee Magazine’s Top 20 Summer Events in RI, will grace the skies from July 19 to July 21 at the URI Athletic Fields on Route 138 in South Kingstown.

Approximately 14 balloonists will show off their balloons Friday and Saturday evening with the Balloon Glow event and $15 tethered balloon rides.

In addition, entertainment will be provided by "Bwana Jim’s Wild Animal Show” and “The Cannon Lady", as well as live music from "Roomful of Blues" on Friday night, and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. on Saturday. Be sure not to miss the Kite Team presentation, during which as many as 18 30-foot kites in various shapes will take to the skies when conditions are too windy for the balloons.

A partially inflated hot-air balloon will also be displayed on the ground, allowing guests an “up close and personal” look and even a walk inside!

For the kids, a carnival will fill the Boss Arena parking lot, as well as a catch-and-release trout pond, free train rides, remote control plane demonstrations, pony rides, a petting zoo, and “Bouncies”, an exciting new Balloon attraction - just to name a few!

Food vendors will be on hand during the event, parking is free, and RV camping is available on-site. All proceeds are donated to charities by the Rotary Club of Wakefield. The Festival is the main fundraiser for the Club and has raised more than $1 million since it began. 

For more information, click here to visit the Festival's official website, or here to check out its Facebook page. A tentative schedule of events can be found here.