Poteau BalloonFest set for Friday, Saturday
Poteau BalloonFest will continue to “Rise Above the Ordinary” on Friday and Saturday as Oklahoma’s longest running balloon festival.
POTEAU — Poteau BalloonFest will continue to “Rise Above the Ordinary” on Friday and Saturday as Oklahoma’s longest running balloon festival.
The event has “ballooned” into a success, rising to new heights after being named the No. 1 event and receiving the Governor’s RedBud Award for Tourism. Poteau BalloonFest is now in its 16th year.
In 2014, Poteau BalloonFest was named third among the Top 40 things to do in Oklahoma by OKIECENTRIC magazine.
Poteau BalloonFest has made its way across the nation thanks to the Oklahoma Department of Tourism, with TV advertisements, websites, and trade, travel and tourism shows. The Oklahoma tourism guide featured Poteau BalloonFest in 2014, calling it an adrenaline rush, and one of the state’s fastestgrowing festivals with all the added events and excitement. In 2018, Poteau BalloonFest was selected as one of the best fall festivals in Oklahoma by Best of American Towns, a property of American Towns Media.
This year’s event will not have any problem living up to these accolades.
Poteau BalloonFest is a fun-filled, family friendly two-day event with attractions and something for everyone. Visitors of all ages can experience arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, carnival rides and live entertainment. Some of the main attractions include the nightly balloon glow, tethered balloon rides, helicopter rides, monster truck rides and mud races.
While at Poteau BalloonFest, visitors of all ages can experience arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, carnival rides and live entertainment.
More than 400 volunteers and city and county employees help transform the LeFlore County Fairgrounds into an area that will take your breath away. Poteau BalloonFest is one of the most picturesque events in the state, and attracts photographers and media from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Texas. The backdrop of Cavanal Hill, billed as the world’s highest hill, and colorful fall foliage sets off the multicolor balloons, especially at dusk when the balloon pilots set up their balloons on the balloon field for the nightly glow.
Balloon pilots enjoy returning to Poteau BalloonFest each year to show off their color-patterned balloons. Balloon Meister Dennis Short has been with the event every year since the beginning of Poteau BalloonFest, and will return this year to help celebrate the 16th anniversary of Poteau BalloonFest.
Poteau BalloonFest unofficially kicks off Thursday evening when balloon pilots take their balloons up and over Poteau’s city center, and continues with media and sponsored flights Friday morning. Balloons usually fly in the early morning and late evening hours, depending on the weather, but may be spotted throughout the weekend, if weather permits.
Poteau BalloonFest is open to the public Friday and Saturday at the Le-Flore County Fairgrounds at 5015 S. Broadway in Poteau. Entry to the event is via an armband, which is valid for both days.
This year’s event will feature the return of two big hits with Poteau BalloonFest attendees: Great American Kites and Cockrills Country Critters exotic and farm animals.
For updated events and times or to pre-purchase entry armbands, visit www.poteauballoonfest.net, or call the Poteau Chamber of Commerce at 918647-9178.
