Balloons Over 66

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.

Other community events include the Family Fun Day and annual book sale at the Lincoln Public Library.

All the events are free to the public

For more information and links to the current event info.,visit the Events Page or SEE BELOW

Balloons Over 66- August 28-29, 2020 Information:

Link to the OFFICIAL Facebook Event

Please plan to watch (and enjoy) from a distance or from your vehicles!

There are 23 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 (6/6:15PM)

Saturday morning (6:15/6:30AM)

Saturday evening (6/6:15PM)

The glow is scheduled for Saturday evening at 8PM - The glow is where the pilots set up the balloons, stay tethered to the ground and glow at night.

The following pilots will launch/glow from their below referenced sites in an effort to properly distance.

Mayfair Park (Mayfair subdivision is located off of N. Kickapoo St. across from Graue Chevrolet) – Deb Griest, Tim Cloyd, Tom Klitz

Dugan Center -- 1500 N. McLean St., Lincoln – Al Reusch, Dan Reusch, Laurie Acuff

Immanuel Lutheran Church – 1409 Pulaski St., Lincoln -- James Phelan, Jim Phelan

City owned lot -- 315 8th St., Lincoln – Seth Goodman, Cody Dorgan, Greg Saul, Darrell Day

Doolin residence – 1616 N. Union St., Lincoln (first driveway off of Old Route 66) – Dennis Sutter, Patrick Shocklee

Ferguson/Nelson residences – The Legends Subdivison -- 1386 Pelican Hill Ct./1390 Pelican Hill Ct., Lincoln – Kurt Vitense, Mike Boylan, Mike England

Bateman residence – 455 Campus View Dr., Lincoln – Dave Boesdorfer, Scott Wooge, Pat Brouillet

Tanner residence – 1413 State Route 121, Lincoln – Dean Carlton, Chris Keefe, Alex Jonard

MAP LINK -Here is a link to a google map of the sites

ALSO, check out these events happening the same weekend.

Downtown Shops - Sidewalk Sales on Saturday

Just BEE Acai Vintage Food Truck Saturday 4-9 PM -614 Broadway St.

Kona Ice Food Truck- Saturday - 1:30-4:00 PM - 2810 Woodlawn Rd

Postville Courthouse Open from 12-4 PM

Mt.Pulaski Courthouse Open from 12-4 PM

ALMH Farmers Market 8AM-12PM

Community Fish Fry

Harmony Grits Concert at Spirited Republic (Downtown Lincoln Square)