Schedule of Events
We are thrilled to bring a hot air balloon festival to Rossville, Tennessee — a suburb just east of Memphis.
The weekend-long Mid-South Balloon Festival will feature a mass ascension of balloons at sunrise each day (weather permitting). Beginning at 3 p.m. each afternoon, the festival grounds will open as a ticketed event. Attendees can enjoy carnival rides, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, live music and more.
After 6 p.m., weather permitting, tethered balloon rides will be available for an additional fee, followed by a stunning balloon glow at dark.
Festival hours are 3–10 p.m. daily. Afternoon entry requires a ticket.
The Mid-South Balloon Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting educational needs in the community. Donations and sponsorships help fund events like Friday Night Lights, a special evening for children and adults with special needs.
Please consider supporting the cause by donating or sponsoring a family.
Note: Balloon flights and displays are highly weather dependent and take place only at dawn and dusk when conditions are safe.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 19– FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
On Friday, Sept. 19 we will host a PRIVATE event from 5 – 9 p.m. for children and adults with special needs and their families.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 & SUNDAY, SEPT. 21
Mid-South Balloon Festival will be open to the public September 20 & 21.
MASS ASCENSION AROUND SUNRISE
Come super early in the morning to see the balloons launch from the field just before sunrise each morning and take flight in the sky.
For morning sessions, the grounds will be open at 6 a.m. and will be open until approximately 9 a.m.
(Actual times may vary. Weather permitting)
The Mass Ascension in the early mornings are a FREE event.
For Ticketed Event
Gates open at 3 p.m. and close at 10 p.m.
KIDS' ZONE
Sponsored by: Baptist Memorial Health Care
We have an amazing kids' zone with Ninja Gym, 901 Goats and four inflatables thanks to Bounce in the South Party Rentals. Plus between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday we will have special characters to meet and greet and photo opportunities.
Schedule a Balloon Flight – coming soon!
A limited number of balloon flights will be available for purchase during the Mid-South Balloon Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20, and Sunday, Sept. 21.
Flights are scheduled for early morning around sunrise and in the early evening, typically about an hour before sunset. Exact timing may vary based on weather conditions and wind speeds. All flights will launch from the festival grounds.
A general admission ticket to the festival is required in addition to the balloon flight purchase.
Balloon rides are $300 per person, plus applicable booking fees. All flights are weather permitting and may be canceled if conditions are unsafe.
PLEASE NOTE:
Weather conditions for ballooning are best just after sunrise and 2-3 hours before sunset. Light, ideal winds (4-6 mph) often occur during these times. During the day, when the sun is high, thermals (large bubbles of hot air that rise from the sun-heated earth) make ballooning hazardous. All balloon activities are dependent on the weather - if the winds are too high, they may not fly, tether or glow.
Balloon flights and displays are weather dependent,
taking place only at dusk and dawn when conditions permit.