The Balloon Fest started at the Thompson Airfield in 2011, and due to the popularity of the event it moved onto the First Monday Grounds in Canton, Texas. The Canton Texas Visitor Bureau now hosts this two day annual event each year. The festival has grown and now includes vendors of all kinds, great food and art vendors showing off their pieces. Family fun activities are abundant with pony rides, bounce houses, climbing wall, car show and the very popular 5K glow run on Friday night. Each year the festival highlights great East Texas Music with a Battle of the Bands competition on Saturday and the event opens on Friday night each year with live music, Balloon Glow and all the vendors. The half marathon is Saturday morning and runners from all over come to compete in this officially sanctioned timed event.

Let’s talk balloons. The stars of the show are all the wonderful Balloons. Not only do they take off each night in a wonderful display of color they are competing in a sanctioned competition by the Balloon Federation of America each morning. The event does have tethered rides (during event) and full Balloon rides (reserved in advance) so make sure to mark your calendar for July 10 & 11 to enjoy this fantastic festival.