Schedule of Events

Join us Memorial Day weekend for the 2018 Freedom Balloon Fest in  Fuquay-Varina , North Carolina. Here are the highlights of festival activities. Please remember, all times, performances, and programming are approximate and subject to change. Balloon activities are wind/weather dependent. Balloon flying times are not exact due to wind and weather considerations.
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Hot air balloons are not scheduled to fly in the middle of the day due to the dangers of unpredictable winds during the heat of the day.
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Help Keep Freedom Balloon Fest "Free"

The all-volunteer non-profit team of Project Uplift USA is proud to present Freedom Balloon Fest and we're committed to keeping it admission free for you and your family. You can help support our mission with a donation of any amount to our non-profit mission. Just click the green button now.

Friday, May 25, 2018

2:00pm - Festival Grounds Open to the Public.  Food Vendors and Craft Beer & Wine Garden Open
2:00pm - Merchant, Arts & Crafts Vendor Village Opens - courtesy of the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce
2:00pm - Fun Zone Opens: Children's Area featuring Games & Rides
3:00pm - Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dogs
5:00pm - Opening Ceremonies, Presentation of the Colors, National Anthem, Commissioning of Field of Flags performance by Danny Perdieu
6:30pm - Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dogs
6:300pm - Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascension*
6:45pm - Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides*
7:00pm - Live Music on the RE/MAX Stage
8:30pm - Hot Air Balloon Glow*
9:00pm - Live Music on the RE/MAX Stage
10:00pm - Festival Grounds Close
*All times and programming are approximate and subject to change. Balloon activities are wind/weather dependent.
​Hot air balloons are not scheduled to fly in the middle of the day due to the dangers of unpredictable winds during the heat of the day.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

6:00am - Festival Grounds Open
​6:15am - Hot Air Balloon Competition Flights*
6:30am - Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides*
7:00am - Breakfast Food Vendors Open - Biscuits,  Juice, Coffee & More!
8:30am - Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dogs
9:00am - Merchant, Arts & Crafts Vendor Village Opens
9:00am - Community Stage Opens in the Heart of the Merchant, Arts & Crafts Village
10:00 - Fun Zone Amusements & Displays Open
10:30am - Food Vendors Are Open for Lunch
11:30am - Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dogs
12:00pm - Craft Beer & Wine Garden Open
2:30pm - Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dogs
3:30pm - Pilot Meet & Greet courtesy of members of Carolinas Balloon Association
3:30pm - Live Music on the RE/MAX Stage
5:30pm - Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dogs
6:00pm - Live Music on the RE/MAX Stage
6:30pm - Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascension* or Fly-in Event
6:45pm - Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides*
7:15pm - Live Music on the RE/MAX Stage
8:30pm - Hot Air Balloon Glow*
8:30-10:00pm - Live Music on the RE/MAX Stage
​10:30pm Festival Grounds Close
*All times and programming are approximate and subject to change. Balloon activities are wind/weather dependent.
​Hot air balloons are not scheduled to fly in the middle of the day due to the dangers of unpredictable winds during the heat of the day.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

6:00am - Festival Grounds Open
​6:15am - Hot Air Balloon Competition Flights*
​6:30am - Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides*​
7:00am - Breakfast Food Vendors Open - Biscuits,  Juice, Coffee & More!
8:30am - Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dogs 
9:00am - Merchant, Arts & Crafts Vendor Village Opens
9:00am - Community Stage Opens in the Heart of the Merchant, Arts & Crafts Village
10:00am - Non-Denominational Church Service on RE/MAX Stage
10:00am-3:30pm - Statewide American Legion Car Show & Competition (Awards at 3:00pm)
​11:00 - Fun Zone Amusements & Military Displays Open
11:00am - Food Vendors Area Open for Lunch
11:30am - Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dogs 
12:00pm - Craft Beer Open
2:30pm - Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dogs
3:00pm - Live Music on the RE/MAX Stage 
3:30pm - Pilot Meet & Greet courtesy of members of Carolinas Balloon Association
4:15pm - Live Music on the RE/MAX Stage
5:30pm - Disc Connected K-9 Frisbee Dogs 
6:00pm - Live Music on the RE/MAX Stage
6:30pm - Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascension* or Fly-in.
6:45pm - Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides*
7:15pm - Live Music on the RE/MAX Stage
8:00pm - Live Music on the RE/MAX Stage
8:30pm - Hot Air Balloon Glow*
8:30-10:00pm - Live Music on the RE/MAX Stage
​10:30pm Festival Grounds Close
*All times and programming are approximate and subject to change. Balloon activities are wind/weather dependent.
​Hot air balloons are not scheduled to fly in the middle of the day due to the dangers of unpredictable winds during the heat of the day.

Monday, May 28, 2018 - Memorial Day Events at Fleming Park

6:00am - Festival Grounds Open
6:15am - Hot Air Balloon Competition Flights*
6:30am - Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides*
11:00am - Closing Ceremony and DeCommissioning of Field of Flags
11:30am - Field of Flags Honor Caravan Departs with Flags for Area Military Cemeteries to Decorate Gravesites
12:00pm - Festival Closes
12:01pm - Planning Begins for 2019 Freedom Balloon Fest
*All times and programming are approximate and subject to change. Balloon activities are wind/weather dependent.