Balloon A-Fair to take flight in Ravenna next week
Food, fun, music and lots of balloons will return to Ravenna next week for the four-day Ravenna Balloon A-Fair.
Sean Short, president of the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair committee, said balloons will be featured throughout the festival, with many opportunities for people to see and touch during the festival's 45th year.
He predicted ideal weather conditions, which are necessary for a successful balloon launch.
"It's gonna be perfect," he said.
The festival starts Thursday with the Children's Parade, continues Friday night with a Balloon Glow at Sunbeau Valley Farm before a parade Saturday morning downtown. Two days of activities will be at Sunbeau on Saturday and Sunday, including balloon launches and static balloon displays. A special Eagle balloon, sponsored by Ravenna Eagles Club, will be on display Saturday and Sunday. The balloon will be a static display both days.
What's happening Thursday
On Thursday, the Children's Parade steps off at 6:30 p.m. from Prospect and Spruce streets in downtown Ravenna. The parade will continue to the Ravenna Courthouse Lawn, where children and their families will be entertained by Tada Magician.
Madison Trautman, the Mini Marshal, will lead the parade. Her winning theme was "Dreams Come True When They Fly With You."
Registration for the parade begins at 5:30 p.m. All children who register will receive a free goody bag.
Friday's Balloon Glow
Activities will run 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday night at Sunbeau Valley Farm, 3229 state Route 59 in Ravenna Township.
A Balloon Glow will begin at dusk. Short said the event will feature 17 balloons, more than ever before. A Balloon Glow is a static display of balloons that is held at night with lights illuminating the balloons.
"People can go right out on the field and see them and get up close and personal," he said.
The band Disco Inferno will perform from 6 to 10 p.m.
Other events include helicopter rides, inflatables, a mechanical bull, axe throwing, only rides, trackless train rides, DJ by Brian Wolfe of Wolfe Rock Radio, craft booths, and food, beer and wine vendors.
Saturday's events
Saturday's activities will begin with the Grand Parade downtown and end at Sunbeau, with the first of two balloon launches planned, weather permitting.
Lineup for the parade will begin at 7 a.m. at Linden Street and steps off at 9 a.m. at Sycamore Street, with All American Judges assessing the units. Grand marshals Connie Bennett and Donna Kovolyan will lead the parade, which has the theme "Make Your Dreams Soar In 2024."
The downtown festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with entertainment on three stages. The Circulators, The Changes Band, Jack's Wild Band and Been A Long Time Band will perform on the East Stage;
The downtown festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with entertainment on three stages. The Circulators, The Changes Band, Jack's Wild Band and Been A Long Time Band will perform on the East Stage; Gray Beard Band, Jah Messenger Reggae Band and Blue Cadillac will be the performers on the West Stage; and the Walnut Hills Cloggers, Magic by Kel and A Girl with Scales Reptile Show will be the entertainers on the Children's Stage.
The gates at Sunbeau open at 3 p.m., with balloon launches scheduled, as well as balloons planned to stay on the ground. There will be 13 balloons expected to launch, and eight inflated in a static display.
In addition, E 5 C 4 P 3, a Journey tribute band, will perform from 7 to 11 p.m., and fireworks will take place at dark.
Other entertainment will include DJ Brian Wolfe of Wolfe Rock Radio, My Drunkin Uncle Band and the Car Crush as part of the Jeep Show. Activities also will include helicopter rides, inflatables, a mechanical bull, axe throwing, pony rides, trackless train rides, face painting and craft, food and beer and wine vendors.
Sunday at Sunbeau
The festival will conclude Sunday at Sunbeau Valley Farm, with gates open from 11 a.m. until after the 5:30 p.m. balloon launch and static display. There will be a total of 20 balloons on Sunday, 12 of which are expected to launch, while the other eight will remain on the ground.
A car show will begin at 3 p.m. Other entertainment will include DJ Brian Wolfe of Wolfe Rock Radio; One Voice, A Girl with Scales Reptile Show and Overboard, the Loveboat Band. Activities also will include helicopter rides, inflatables, a mechanical bull, axe throwing, pony rides, trackless train rides, face painting and craft, food and beer and wine vendors.
Admission at Sunbeau
Admission is $5 per person per day, plus $5 per car for parking. A bus from Emerald Transportation also will be running a loop Sunday from Brown Middle School to the farm.
There are additional fees for inflatables, helicopter rides, pony rides, trackless train rides, the mechanical bull, axe throwing and putt-putt golf.
"A lot of people are excited to see the parade and the balloons," Short said. "A lot of people are excited about the picture of the eagle shaped balloon. And a lot of people are excited to see E 5 C 4 P 3 on Saturday."
The festival will go forward rain or shine, and all hot-air balloon lift-offs are weather permitting. Entrance fees are non-refundable. For information, visit the Balloon A-Fair website or call 330-296-3247.
Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Balloon A-Fair to take flight in Ravenna next week
