Hot air balloons will fill the Southwest Wake sky this Memorial Day weekend as the annual Freedom Balloon Fest kicks off Friday in Fuquay-Varina. Festival-goers will also enjoy live entertainment, musical performances, fair food and more.
Produced by nonprofit Project UpLift USA, the Freedom Balloon Fest helps to raise money to support the organization’s services to military families and children with mobility challenges.
Best times for the balloons
Arrive early in the morning to watch the pilots take to the clouds for competitions that begin at 6:15 a.m. or show up in time to see them head back up at 6:30 p.m. for an evening adventure.
At dusk each day, around 8:30 p.m., the festival’s “Balloon Glow” will impress as pilots light up their balloons on the main field for all to enjoy.
Fun for foodies
The Freedom Balloon Fest has secured a solid food truck lineup featuring Baguetteaboutit, Cousins Maine Lobster, Buddhalicious and Kona Ice as well as numerous fair food vendors for you to frequent.
Memorial Day activities
At 11 a.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th, the festival will host its Closing Ceremony and De-Commissioning of Field of Flags. At 11:30 a.m. the Field of Flags Honor Caravan will depart with the flags on course to area military cemeteries to decorate veterans’ gravesites.
Freedom Balloon Fest event details:
When:
Friday, May 26 through Memorial Day, Monday, May 29
Where:
Fleming Loop Park
301 Fleming Loop Road, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Schedule:
Access a schedule of daily festival events here.
Parking:
Parking information and additional festival details can be found here.
Explore Fuquay-Varina
Set aside some time to explore Fuquay-Varina while you’re in town.
Committed to offering a “dash more,” the town is the perfect pairing of small-town charm and Triangle commuter convenience that is drawing in families from all over the state at a rapid pace.
There are two developing downtown districts with locally owned boutiques and restaurants worth a visit (or two!). You’ll also be impressed with the local community and the impressive new housing developments underway just beyond Main Street.
If your brief tour does the trick and you find yourself endeared to the town and its residents, you can contact our Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston Fuquay-Varina real estate office to gather further details about turning your visit into a permanent stay.
