MONROE - The Monroe Balloon Rally celebrates its 25th anniversary this weekend with balloon flights, music, food and demonstrations at the Green County Fairgrounds.
Hot air balloons will fill the sky throughout the weekend as pilots from across the state take part in the what organizer Matt Urban called "the longest-running balloon rally in Wisconsin."
The pilots enjoy coming to Monroe, Urban said. For the pilots, Monroe's rally is one the highlights of their year, he said. There are 15 balloons scheduled to attend the rally.
"This is a beautiful place to fly," Urban said. "We have the rolling hills. There's plenty of opportunities to see some great scenery."
Ballooning, Urban said, is a unique sport in that it's not overly exposed.
"We're one of six communities in the state that hosts a ballooning event," Urban said.
Balloon flights are scheduled for 6 p.m., Friday, and 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Saturday.
Balloon flights depend on the weather. Everything must be just right before the balloons are able to leave the ground.
"It's kind of a 'seize the day' approach," Urban said. "When everything is aligned, we know we're seeing something special."
What makes the flights special is that they can be seen for miles, Urban said.
"You don't have to be at the fairgrounds to see the balloons. You can follow them while they're in the air."
The festival begins at 4 p.m. Friday when the gates to the fairgrounds open to the public.
Friday's events include a craft fair, a balloon launch and balloon demonstrations. The colorful Balloon Glow is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.; Saturday's events begin at 5 a.m.
Two balloon launches, a pancake breakfast, a classic car show, a mini-balloon ground school, and another chance to see a balloon glow are scheduled throughout the day.
Food will be available Friday and Saturday. Music by the Midwesterners, The Jimmy's and Fedora will be featured Saturday, beginning at noon and continuing until 6 p.m.
Admission to the event is free. Parking inside the fairgrounds is $3.
Urban said the event includes a host of activities involving a number of community, non-profit groups.
More information is available at the balloon rally website, www.monroeballoonrally.com.
Hot air balloons will fill the sky throughout the weekend as pilots from across the state take part in the what organizer Matt Urban called "the longest-running balloon rally in Wisconsin."
The pilots enjoy coming to Monroe, Urban said. For the pilots, Monroe's rally is one the highlights of their year, he said. There are 15 balloons scheduled to attend the rally.
"This is a beautiful place to fly," Urban said. "We have the rolling hills. There's plenty of opportunities to see some great scenery."
Ballooning, Urban said, is a unique sport in that it's not overly exposed.
"We're one of six communities in the state that hosts a ballooning event," Urban said.
Balloon flights are scheduled for 6 p.m., Friday, and 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Saturday.
Balloon flights depend on the weather. Everything must be just right before the balloons are able to leave the ground.
"It's kind of a 'seize the day' approach," Urban said. "When everything is aligned, we know we're seeing something special."
What makes the flights special is that they can be seen for miles, Urban said.
"You don't have to be at the fairgrounds to see the balloons. You can follow them while they're in the air."
The festival begins at 4 p.m. Friday when the gates to the fairgrounds open to the public.
Friday's events include a craft fair, a balloon launch and balloon demonstrations. The colorful Balloon Glow is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.; Saturday's events begin at 5 a.m.
Two balloon launches, a pancake breakfast, a classic car show, a mini-balloon ground school, and another chance to see a balloon glow are scheduled throughout the day.
Food will be available Friday and Saturday. Music by the Midwesterners, The Jimmy's and Fedora will be featured Saturday, beginning at noon and continuing until 6 p.m.
Admission to the event is free. Parking inside the fairgrounds is $3.
Urban said the event includes a host of activities involving a number of community, non-profit groups.
More information is available at the balloon rally website, www.monroeballoonrally.com.