Plano Balloon Festival, Inc.

09/11/2026

The 7-Day Forecast!

Last rain chance for most today and it is a measly 20%! High pressure starts to build back in this weekend, drying us out and returning triple digits. As of now, next week looks mainly dry and hot!

09/11/2026

“Happy Rosh Hashanah! Wishing all who celebrate a sweet new year.

Don't miss out on your favorite crisp new-crop apples, sweet honey, challah, plus all the last-minute ingredients for your favorite kugel, matzo ball soup, and brisket recipes.”

Happy Rosh Hashanah! Wishing all who celebrate a sweet new year.

Don't miss out on your favorite crisp new-crop apples, sweet honey, challah, plus all the last-minute ingredients for your favorite kugel, matzo ball soup, and brisket recipes.

09/10/2026

Pilot Spotlight: KERRY SPEICHER
💛 HiLight is an UltraMagic 56,000-cubic-foot racer
😘 Before every flight, he kisses his wife
🐊 Once owned a pet alligator named Wolfgang.

https://blog.planoballoonfest.org/pilot-spotlight-kerry-speicher-and-hilight-bring-a-family-love-of-ballooning-to-plano/

East Texas Balloon Club

09/10/2026

The Team Behind the Flame 🔥: How Pinnacle Propane Helps Fuel the Festival

“We help coordinate propane fueling for the balloons and make sure pilots and crews have access to the fuel they need in a safe, organized, and efficient way,” the company explained.

Read the full article:
https://blog.planoballoonfest.org/the-team-behind-the-flame-how-pinnacle-propane-helps-fuel-the-festival/

Pinnacle Propane LLC

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival returns September 17-20, 2026, bringing 40 hot air balloons and four days of family-friendly entertainment to Red Tail Pavilion / Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano.

"Each balloon and pilot brings a different story to the launch field, but together they create an experience that belongs to the entire community," said Jo Via, Festival Director. "From longtime Festival favorites to imaginative special shapes and newly introduced balloons, this year’s lineup will fill our Shared Horizon and give families even more reasons to share in the wonder.”

The Festival proudly presents the participating hot air balloons and pilots as follows:

Spirit of H-E-B – Amie Cato
Central Market Whisk Away – Shane Hale
Highly Cool for FOX4 – Keith Berry
RE/MAX – Steve Lombardi
Thomas J Henry – Josh Cato
Excellence – Matt Robison
1-Liner – Tabatha Rainwater
Airview A/C – Michael Celentano
Allycorn – Chris Glen
Chick-Fil-A Lil Nugget – Scott Vesely
Chris P. Bacon – Jordan Cox
Confetti – Cleatus McDonel
Dawn’s Light – Lillian Speicher
Ducking Grateful – Jason Provost
Fired Up Too – Michael Marx
Freedom – Michael Wilson
Highlight – Kerry Speicher
Hope – Bill Broker and Jenny Karlovich
IMON8 – Jeff Abel
In The Buff - Plains Capital Bank – Barry Ballinger
Inn of the Mountain Gods – William Baker
Jersey Lilly – Bob Evans
Kermie – Anthony Haynes
Larry the Bear – Tom Brown
Lovebirds – Trevor Matejowsky
Lovin’ Life In The Air – Lowell White
Milton the Fish – Jesse Harris
Nerfer – Mike Bertetto
No Prob Llama – Cory Davis
No Problemz – Robert Snyder
Puddy Cat – Al Smith
Scout Cloudfoot – John Brese, Morgan Snipes and Melanie Cabaniss
Texit Coin Freedom Flyer – Eric Wiggins
Thistle Down III – Michael Shouse
Tweety – Brian Chase
Up Rohr – Brian Rohr
UpRohr 2 – Jason Myers
Visit Las Cruces – Jacob Little
Wash – TJ Davis
Ziggy – Mike Fielding and Melanie Cabaniss

TIX & INFO: www.planoballoonfest.org

09/09/2026

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival returns September 17-20, 2026!

"Each balloon and pilot brings a different story to the launch field, but together they create an experience that belongs to the entire community," said Jo Via, Festival Director. "From longtime Festival favorites to imaginative special shapes and newly introduced balloons, this year’s lineup will fill our Shared Horizon and give families even more reasons to share in the wonder.”

The Festival proudly presents the participating hot air balloons and pilots as follows:
Spirit of H-E-B – Amie Cato
Central Market Whisk Away – Shane Hale
Highly Cool for FOX4 – Keith Berry
RE/MAX – Steve Lombardi
Thomas J Henry – Josh Cato
Excellence – Matt Robison
1-Liner – Tabatha Rainwater
Airview A/C – Michael Celentano
Allycorn – Chris Glen
Chick-Fil-A Lil Nugget – Scott Vesely
Chris P. Bacon – Jordan Cox
Confetti – Cleatus McDonel
Dawn’s Light – Lillian Speicher
Ducking Grateful – Jason Provost
Fired Up Too – Michael Marx
Freedom – Michael Wilson
Highlight – Kerry Speicher
Hope – Bill Broker and Jenny Karlovich
IMON8 – Jeff Abel
In The Buff - Plains Capital Bank – Barry Ballinger
Inn of the Mountain Gods – William Baker
Jersey Lilly – Bob Evans
Kermie – Anthony Haynes
Larry the Bear – Tom Brown
Lovebirds – Trevor Matejowsky
Lovin’ Life In The Air – Lowell White
Milton the Fish – Jesse Harris
Nerfer – Mike Bertetto
No Prob Llama – Cory Davis
No Problemz – Robert Snyder
Puddy Cat – Al Smith
Scout Cloudfoot – John Brese, Morgan Snipes and Melanie Cabaniss
Texit Coin Freedom Flyer – Eric Wiggins
Thistle Down III – Michael Shouse
Tweety – Brian Chase
Up Rohr – Brian Rohr
UpRohr 2 – Jason Myers
Visit Las Cruces – Jacob Little
Wash – TJ Davis
Ziggy – Mike Fielding and Melanie Cabaniss

TIX & INFO: www.planoballoonfest.org

09/09/2026

These are the Special Shape Hot Air Balloons & Pilots participating in the 2026 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival on Sept 17-20! Which one is YOUR FAVORITE?

Allycorn – Chris Glen
Chris P. Bacon – Jordan Cox
Ducking Grateful – Jason Provost
Kermie – Anthony Haynes
Larry the Bear – Tom Brown
Lovebirds – Trevor Matejowsky
Milton the Fish – Jesse Harris
No Prob Llama – Cory Davis
Puddy Cat – Al Smith
Scout Cloudfoot – John Brese, Morgan Snipes and Melanie Cabaniss
Tweety – Brian Chase
Ziggy – Mike Fielding and Melanie Cabaniss

TIX & INFO: www.planoballoonfest.org

09/09/2026

🐻 BALLOON SPOTLIGHT: LARRY BEAR

Someone tell Larry Bear that neckties are optional on the launch field—but when you’re this fabulous, you make your own dress code! 💚

With his enormous smile, jaunty green cap and larger-than-life personality, Larry Bear is ready to become one of the most lovable characters across our Shared Horizon. Pilot Tom Brown will bring this towering special shape to life before the eyes of families gathered on the field.

Come ready for a bear hug—although you may need a VERY long pair of arms. 🐻

📍 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival
📅 September 17–20
🎟️ INFO & TIX: planoballoonfest.org

All balloon activities are weather permitting.