Editor's Note: A previous version of this story contained incorrect information about the Green County Dairy Days Cattle Show. The event will be held June 21 at the Green County Fairgrounds.
MONROE - Once each spring in Green County, life pauses.
Necks crane and hands shade the eyes gazing into sunrise or sunset skies for a glimpse of brilliant color and beauty in calm flight.
Twenty-nine years and counting, the Monroe Balloon Rally is the longest running balloon event in Wisconsin. This year, it is being held Friday and Saturday at the Green County Fairgrounds in Monroe.
Not everything about the rally is up in the air.
Ballooning exhibitions; balloon launches (weather permitting) at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.; and the infield balloon demonstrations at 7 p.m., all happen on the fairgrounds. The nightly Fairgrounds Balloon Glows at 8:30 p.m. offers viewers a spectacular, up-close view of an inflated, hot air balloon's colors that can't be appreciated thousands of feet in the air.
The organizers this year, Matt Urban, Kerry Stamm and Jimmy Voegeli, have worked to bring together quite a few down-to-earth events and have, once again, added a little extra flare to the Monroe Balloon and Blues Festival.
"I think the lineup of the blues bands, especially for Saturday night, is top-notch," Urban said. "The quality of those bands is the hidden secret this year."
Joel Pingatore and Playground of Sound, based out of Madison, open the stage Friday night. On Saturday, Sena Ehrhardt Band from Minneapolis and then local favorites The Jimmys break up the afternoon. The Bel-Airs from St. Louis round out the evening.
Local blues bands fans are in awe of the lineup, Urban added.
Hot Air and Hot Wheels Car Show starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, with awards presented at 3 p.m. Kerry Stamm, who volunteered again to organize the car show, is hoping her team will host well over 150 cars judged in 21 different categories.
Organizers have made enjoying everything at the festival as easy as ABC, starting first with free admission both days.
On Saturday, in addition to the balloons, blues and cars, start the day with a pancake breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. Concessions stands will dot the grounds, and kids can enjoy inflatables and carnival rides.
Parking on the fairgrounds is just $3, or find free, on-street parking near the fairgrounds on a first-come, first-serve basis. Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday and at 5 a.m. Saturday.
For more information and schedules, visit monroeballoonrally.com. Follow Monroe Balloon Rally on Facebook and Twitter for flight updates.
MONROE - Once each spring in Green County, life pauses.
Necks crane and hands shade the eyes gazing into sunrise or sunset skies for a glimpse of brilliant color and beauty in calm flight.
Twenty-nine years and counting, the Monroe Balloon Rally is the longest running balloon event in Wisconsin. This year, it is being held Friday and Saturday at the Green County Fairgrounds in Monroe.
Not everything about the rally is up in the air.
Ballooning exhibitions; balloon launches (weather permitting) at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.; and the infield balloon demonstrations at 7 p.m., all happen on the fairgrounds. The nightly Fairgrounds Balloon Glows at 8:30 p.m. offers viewers a spectacular, up-close view of an inflated, hot air balloon's colors that can't be appreciated thousands of feet in the air.
The organizers this year, Matt Urban, Kerry Stamm and Jimmy Voegeli, have worked to bring together quite a few down-to-earth events and have, once again, added a little extra flare to the Monroe Balloon and Blues Festival.
"I think the lineup of the blues bands, especially for Saturday night, is top-notch," Urban said. "The quality of those bands is the hidden secret this year."
Joel Pingatore and Playground of Sound, based out of Madison, open the stage Friday night. On Saturday, Sena Ehrhardt Band from Minneapolis and then local favorites The Jimmys break up the afternoon. The Bel-Airs from St. Louis round out the evening.
Local blues bands fans are in awe of the lineup, Urban added.
Hot Air and Hot Wheels Car Show starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, with awards presented at 3 p.m. Kerry Stamm, who volunteered again to organize the car show, is hoping her team will host well over 150 cars judged in 21 different categories.
Organizers have made enjoying everything at the festival as easy as ABC, starting first with free admission both days.
On Saturday, in addition to the balloons, blues and cars, start the day with a pancake breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. Concessions stands will dot the grounds, and kids can enjoy inflatables and carnival rides.
Parking on the fairgrounds is just $3, or find free, on-street parking near the fairgrounds on a first-come, first-serve basis. Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday and at 5 a.m. Saturday.
For more information and schedules, visit monroeballoonrally.com. Follow Monroe Balloon Rally on Facebook and Twitter for flight updates.