Balloon Fest - Urbana, Ohio

08/23/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1734vjkPJN/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/17/2025

What a Fantastic Show !!
9 balloons launched and floated gracefully right over the crowd!! (going east)
9 balloons returned to the field and glowed - EDIT - ** well, technically 9 returned to the field, but only 8 glowed.......1 had 2 new crew members and took an extra long flight - by the time they returned to Grimes the glow was about over **

IT WAS AN AWESOME EVENT !!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT !!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR !!

please share any pictures or videos you took !!

08/16/2025

10 Balloons. If everyone shows we will have 10 balloons! Going to be a great balloon festival 2025!

08/15/2025

We have a local Urbana team that will be here Saturday 8/16 - Jennifer and Eddie Noble, flying their balloon "Crayon Cruiser"

Come out and see the show, grab a bite or maybe a cool beverage! and listen to the band and say hey to them!

08/14/2025

Only 3 days left until the Original MERFI Wings, Wheels & Balloons!

EAA Pancake Breakfast kicks off the day at 8:00 am
MERFI Car Show starts at 8:00
Kids area - 2 bounce houses, balloon selfie & crafts, face painting
Food Trucks at 11:00
Beer Garden at 11:00
HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL - gates open at 4:00 Launch approx 6:pm (weather dependent) (at the gate ($2 adults, $1 youth, babies free - cash only at the gate)

** No Smoking, Service animals only, no carry in food or drink
***** BRING YOUR OWN LAWNCHAIRS

https://www.urbanaairport.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMKnD1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhU2NyRDJWaXFweWJSTDVWAR7ZMHmD9XfkloFodv2B4LmFF2M-nGEMknD3PKSe3Vg-AR_7kDUN6ZUxfT3n1w_aem_BGvx-K7Jtrov0a-9GGUy3g

Fly InBalloon Fest Car Show August 16, 2025 Plan Your Visit Grimes FieldUrbana Municipal Airport I74 Welcome aboard to a world where passion for aviation soars! We’re dedicated to connecting enthusiasts, professionals, and innovators, ensuring that every flight and experience feels as seamless and...

08/11/2025

Good Morning Friends !

This Saturday's Festival is shaping up great! If you are out and about Saturday morning, MERFI (the Original Wings & Wheels) EAA Chapter 421 is offering a Pancake Breakfast from 8:00 to 11:00 in the hangar right across from the Terminal Building. Pancakes, Sausage, OJ, Huey's Coffee !

Starting at 4:00 the gates will open for the Balloon Festival (adults $2, Youth $1, babies Free)

For the Kids, 2 bounce houses, Facepainting, a Balloon Selfie station, a Create-a-Balloon station where they can decorate and create a mini-balloon and chalk to draw draw draw on the pavement!

For the Adults, Food Trucks, Vendors, a Beer Garden, the Band

Promises to be a great night!!

4:00 gate opens (CASH ONLY - nearest ATM Speedway in town) $2 Adults, $1 Youth, Babies Free!!
5:00 Band Starts
6:00 Scheduled Launch
7:00 Wing Eating Contest (thanks to Wing Bar! )
8:00 Glow (dusk)
(all times are approximate and Very Weather Dependent - Balloons require very very light winds)

SEE YOU SATURDAY ***

05/12/2025

New to Grimes this year is a balloon called "Shenanigans!"

Shenanigans is a 2001 Aerostar RX-8, 90K Cubic Feet, with 495 hours.

Pilot: Elizabeth (Liz) McClurg
Liz is a private pilot from Ashland, OH.

Although I had watched balloons for many years, I've only been actively involved for three. In January of 2021, I began crewing and got to go on my first balloon ride…needless to say, I was intrigued. After crewing for several pilots I found my balloon and began working on my private certificate. I completed my private certificate in September 2022 and my goal is to complete my commercial certificate this year. Outside of ballooning I am a Public Transit Coordinator with four children and three grandchildren. I enjoy reading, roller skating and working on crafts with my crew members. They are a terrific bunch! My crew and I strive to have fun times and interact with the public which is what I love most about our sport, bringing joy to others!

04/15/2025

This year the Champaign County Balloon Festival will have a live band, the Victorious Kaybirds !!

03/24/2025

The Champaign County Hot Air Balloon Festival will return on August 16, 2025. We are working now on balloons, vendors, etc. This year will be a one day Festival, Saturday night. Admission at the gate will be Adults $2 / Kids 12 & under $1 / Under 2 - no charge - gate opens at 4:pm We'll have music, food, beer garden as usual. For more info you can call the Airport Manager at 937.652.4319. Balloons will launch at 6:pm, wing eating contest at 7:pm, and Balloon glow at dusk.

Balloon flying is very very weather dependent. Winds have to be below 8 knots and that includes the winds at tree top height. If they cannot inflate then they will do a 'candlestick' burn, where they ignite their burners in time to the music.

09/09/2023

The Sun is Shining! The Skies are Clearing! Gates will open at 5:00.......Balloon launch window is 6 to 7 pm........at 7:00 pm The Wing Bar will be hosting a Wing Eating Contest (from Mild to Volcano Hot wings) and then around 8:00 The Balloon Glow!!
** Great Food Options, Music, Beer & Wine and It is only $3 per person to get in !!

09/09/2023

Awesome music awesome food good crowd, but look at those dark clouds!!!