Plano Balloon Festival facts for kids
Plano Balloon Festival is a super fun event held every September in Plano, Texas. It takes place at the beautiful Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve. This festival is one of the biggest parties in Plano, with more than 90,000 people coming to enjoy the sights! It has been happening for over 40 years and has become a really important way to raise money for local groups that help the community. InTouch Credit Union is the main sponsor, helping to make it all possible.
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What is the Plano Balloon Festival?
The Plano Balloon Festival is a special event where many colorful hot air balloons fill the sky. It's a chance for families and friends to gather and watch these amazing giants float high above. Besides being a lot of fun, the festival also helps many local nonprofit organizations. This means that when you attend, you're not just having a great time, you're also helping your community!
What Happens at the Festival?
The festival is packed with exciting activities that change a little bit each year. Here are some of the cool things you can usually see and do:
Hot Air Balloon Launches
One of the main attractions is watching the hot air balloons launch into the sky. Usually, there are five launches planned during the festival, but this depends on the weather. Seeing dozens of balloons take off at once is a truly amazing sight!
Balloon Glows
Imagine giant lanterns lighting up the night sky! That's what a balloon glow is like. After the sun sets, balloon pilots gather on the launch field. They fire up their balloon's burners at the same time, making the balloons glow brightly against the dark sky. It's a magical experience!
Fun for Everyone
The festival has something for everyone!
- Kids Fun Zone: This area is specially designed for younger visitors with lots of games and activities.
- Live Music: You can enjoy performances from local community groups and live bands playing on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Sky Divers: Watch amazing sky divers jump from planes and float gracefully down to the ground.
- Fireworks: The festival often ends with a spectacular fireworks show, lighting up the night with dazzling colors.
How Weather Affects the Festival
Because hot air balloons need good weather to fly safely, some events might be changed or delayed. Strong winds or rain can prevent balloons from launching or glowing. The festival organizers always put safety first!
The Festival in 2020
In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the festival's events had to go digital. This meant people could still enjoy some parts of the festival from home, keeping everyone safe.
