Various locations throughout Lincoln
Held the end of August
Lincoln has had a long history with Hot Air Ballooning beginning with the Art and Balloon Festival that began in 1988. Later the Balloon Festival was separated from the Art Festival and continued on until 2017. In 2019, Balloons Over 66 began. As with the Art and Balloon Festival, balloon pilots travel from around the country to participate in Balloons Over 66.
Hot air balloons are launched in various locations on Friday and Saturday throughout Lincoln. Residents and visitors come to watch the set up and launch. For some residents, the balloons are launched in their backyards! Saturday evening usually concludes with a Balloon Glow. This is where the pilots and crews set up the balloons, keep them tethered, and light them up in the night sky. All are welcome to watch the show.
All the events are free to the public.
For more information and links to the current event info SEE BELOW.
Balloons Over 66- August 27-29, 2021
Link to the OFFICIAL Facebook Event
Link to the OFFICIAL EVENT GOOGLE MAP
*Hot Air Balloon Information*
There are over 30 Balloons this year. The pilots meet soon before the launches to determine whether they will set up and launch, set up and stay tethered to the ground, or not launch at all. Depending on weather conditions, the flights are slated for:
Friday evening (6/6:15 PM)
Saturday morning (6:15/6:30 AM)
Saturday evening (6/6:15 PM)
The glow is scheduled for Saturday evening at 8 PM at The Lincoln Park District (1400 Primm Road, Lincoln, IL)- The glow is where the pilots set up the balloons, stay tethered to the ground and glow at night.
The launch sites are listed below.
Mayfair Park (Mayfair subdivision is located off of N. Kickapoo St. across from Graue Chevrolet)
Dugan Center -- 1500 N. McLean St., Lincoln
Immanuel Lutheran Church – 1409 Pulaski St., Lincoln
City-owned lot -- 315 8th St., Lincoln
455 Campus View Dr., Lincoln
*Happenings in Downtown Lincoln*
Friday, August 27th
Lincoln Public Libary Book Sale - Reserve Time Slots
Dock Dogs - on Mclean St between Broadway St and Pulaski St
- Onsite Registration/ Practice – 12:00 pm
- Big Air WAVE # 1 – 1:00 pm
- Big Air WAVE # 2 – 3:00 pm
- Big Air WAVE # 3 – 5:00 pm
- Extreme Vertical – 7:00 pm
Event Format: Outdoor Big Air®, Extreme Vertical® & Speed RetrieveTM & Iron Dog Rankings
Live Music - Band TBA, 7 PM - 11 PM - Stage will be set up on the corner of Pulaski St and Kickapoo St (facing North toward Broadway St)
**Alcohol vending will be done from Spirited Republic, Alley-Bi Saloon, The Rusty Rail Pub**
Saturday, August 28th
Backyard BBQ Competition
Balloons Over 66 5K - 8 AM starting at Lincoln Park District
Lincoln Public Libary Book Sale - Reserve Time Slots
Dock Dogs - on Mclean St between Broadway St and Pulaski St
- Onsite Registration/ Practice – 10:00 am
- Big Air WAVE # 4 – 11:00 am
- Big Air WAVE # 5 – 1:00 pm
- Big Air WAVE # 6 – 3:00 pm
- Speed Retrieve (All in one Finals) – 5:00 pm
- Big Air Finals start at 7:00 pm (Pro, Semi-Pro, Contender & Amateur Finals)
Event Format: Outdoor Big Air®, Extreme Vertical® & Speed RetrieveTM & Iron Dog Rankings
Live Music - Bands TBA, 12 PM - 11 PM - Stage will be set up on the corner of Pulaski St and Kickapoo St (facing North toward Broadway St)
**Alcohol vending will be done from Spirited Republic, Alley-Bi Saloon, The Rusty Rail Pub**
Classic Car Show - 5 PM - 8 PM on Broadway St between N Kickapoo St and McLean St
*Oasis Event Information*
2810 Woodlawn Road, Lincoln, IL
Craft & Vendor Fair - Saturday, August 28th, 10 AM - 4:00 PM- LINK to the Facebook Event
Corn & Chicken Feed - Saturday, August 28th, 11 AM - 3 PM
ALSO, check out these attractions/events that are open or happening the same weekend.
Postville Courthouse Open from 12-4 PM
Mt.Pulaski Courthouse Open from 12-4 PM
Lincoln Heritage Museum Open from 1-4 PM
