The 20th annual Sunflower Balloon Festival in Anthony, Kansas is happening this May. Admission is FREE and they have fun activities planned for everyone.
The Balloon Festival is a three-day event, May 12-14, 2017 and will include hot air balloon rides, a parade, helicopter rides, a kite festival, car show, and more. Most of the balloon-related activities will be held at the Anthony Municipal Airport, but they’ll also have lots of fun activities and things to do in the town of Anthony, Kansas during the festival, especially on Saturday afternoon.
Sunflower Balloon Festival overview
Here is just an overview of the Sunflower Balloon Fest schedule according to their flyer and the information on their Facebook page. It looks like it is going to be so much fun!
Friday Night
The festival kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 12 at the Anthony Municipal Airport with balloons going up. If the weather doesn’t permit flights on Friday evening, the balloons will stand and glow. You’ll be able to walk among the balloons and visit with pilots and crew. If flights go on as expected and the weather cooperates, hot air balloon rides will be offered from 7-9 p.m. They’ll also have a preview of the kite festival on Friday night. At dusk, they’ll close out Friday’s activities with fireworks!
Saturday Morning
The next morning, at sunrise on Saturday, weather permitting, pilots will start inflating balloons. Arrive early at the airport for the best views of the launches. Hot air balloon rides will be available from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., as long as the weather cooperates.
Saturday Afternoon
In town, watch the parade down Main Street beginning at 2 p.m. and enjoy a wide variety of activities, including a jet simulator, car show, tours of the Anthony Historical Museum, food and craft vendors, a walk-around magician, and specials at local Anthony merchants and restaurants.
At the airport on Saturday, they’ll be having a kite festival, helicopter rides ($40 each), and powered parachutes.
Saturday Evening
On Saturday evening around 6:30 p.m., the balloon pilots will try for another flight back at the Anthony airport. If all goes well with the weather, tethered hot air balloon rides will be available from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday Morning
Sunday morning will be the last flight time for the hot air balloons, from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
The price for tethered balloon rides during the Sunflower Balloon Festival is $20 for adults and $10 for children.
Tethered balloon rides are scheduled for:
- Friday, May 12, 7 – 9 p.m.
- Saturday, May 13, 7 – 9 a.m.
- Saturday, May 13, 7 – 9 p.m.
Anthony, Kansas is about an hour southwest of Wichita. For more information about the hot air balloon festival in Anthony, KS, visit SunflowerBalloonFest.com or visit their page on Facebook.
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