Lakeside of the Smokies Hot Air Ballon Fest
• Lakeside of the Smokies Hot Air Balloon Fest
Experience the magic as you behold the splendor of colorful hot air balloons inflated and floating over East Tennessee’s lakes and valleys painted with stunning colors during the peak of Fall Foliage viewing in the Great Smokey Mountains. Thesemarvelous colors of autumn will provide the perfect backdrop for 25 hot air balloons as they ascend above Douglas Lake and provide spectacular views of the surrounding rural countryside and the Great Smoky Mountains. Be part of the magic at Tennessee’s premier Fall Agritourism event and largest Hot Air Balloon Festival!
Chilton Farm in White Pine TN has partnered with regional balloonist and the Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council to bring you Tennessee’s largest Hot Air Balloon Festival, Lakeside of the Smokies Balloon Festival. The event will be held over two days, from 1 pm to 8 pm daily. Each day will feature untethered and tethered balloon rides followed by a nightly balloon glow at 6:30 pm. Other planned activities include a food truck court featuring over 20 Food Trucks, live music, children’s activities such as walk-in Hot Air Balloons and kids inflatables, a wine garden, military appreciation day, antique tractor show and artisan craft vendors. This is a rain or shine event and all balloon activities are weather dependent.
The evening sky will come alive with a nightly balloon glow! This is a unique opportunity to see a magnificent display of colors against the backdrop of the breathtaking Smoky Mountain sunset! Here is everything that you need to know about attending Lakeside of the Smokies Hot Air Balloon Festival:
Learn more at https://lotsballoonfest.com/ or visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LakesideoftheSmokiesBalloonFest/
1. What to Expect
Lakeside of the Smokies Hot Air Balloon Festival is an exciting family-friendly event with a stunning balloon glow, live entertainment, delicious food, antique tractor show, untethered and tethered balloon rides and more! During the afternoon, enjoy all types of fun activities such as walk-in Hot Air Balloons, face painting and kid’s inflatables. There will also be juried local craft vendors at the event as well as a wine garden featuring over 10 local wineries.
2. Dates, Times and Location
Chilton Farm is a gorgeous 118-acre property and the festival will occupy a single 100-acre tract. Located just minutes from the Interstate, it’s a beautiful venue for Tennessee’s largest Hot Air Balloon Festival and October is the perfect time, with peak Autumn colors on display.
The festival takes place on Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday Oct. 27, from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Chilton Farm is located at 715 HWY 113, White Pine, Tennessee 37890, just minutes from 4 exits off I-81 and I-40; Exits: 8, 4, 417, & 424. The parking lots open at 12:00 p.m. and the live entertainment kicks off at 1 P.M. each day. The balloons begin to inflate 2-3 hours before dusk for untethered and tethered rides. For the evening glow, the balloons are normally up from about 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Multiple shape balloons will be on display including Smokey Bear and Sunny Boy.
Don’t forget your camera. There is a Hot Air Balloon Photography Contest so be prepared to grab the best shots you can and send them off to festival organizers after the event is over. Think you’re the best photographer at the festival? Enter and find out!
3. Ticket Information
Admission to the festival is free. Parking is $20.00 in advance and $30.00 day of. All attendees are encouraged to pre-purchase parking tickets. Tickets for the wine tasting will be available in advance or on site for just $10 and include a commemorative wine glass and a 6 compartment wine tote. If you are interested in a tethered balloon ride you can purchase ride tickets in advance, or if available, on the day of the event for $20 per person. The rides last about 5 to 7 minutes and passengers must be at least 8 years old or 4 feet tall to participate. A limited number of untethered ride tickets are available for $250.00. Rides last for about 1 – 1.5 hours and include a celebratory champagne toast. For wine, food and Hot Air Balloon lovers, a limited number of tickets are available for the Elevated Experience. This is a rain or shine event, so in the case of bad weather the balloonists will perform a candlestick glow rather than a balloon glow.
4. Where to Stay
Stay in the Lakeside of the Smokies and close to the Great Smoky Mountains. The featured hotel is Red Roof Inn and the featured resort is The Resort at Governor’s Crossing. All options are available from lakeside resorts, historic Bed and Breakfasts, cabins, campgrounds and RV resorts. Locate your preferred place to stay at Lakeside of the Smokies.
Don’t Miss Lakeside of the Smokies Hot Air Balloon Fest, Tennessee’s largest Hot Air Balloon Festival – Start Planning Now!