MONROE - The Monroe Balloon and Blues Festival is back, with two days of high-altitude family fun and free musical entertainment, along with fun food and local brews.
After a one-year hiatus, the Green County Fairgrounds again will be buzzing with excitement June 17 and 18 as pilots take to the skies with their colorful hot air balloons.
The first balloon launch is at 6 p.m. June 17 at the Green County Fairgrounds, 2600 10th St. Subsequent launches are at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. June 18. Evening "balloon glows" are planned for 8:30 p.m. on both days.
Flight patterns will follow the prevailing winds over the Green County countryside. When the propane runs low, pilots keep an eye out for open fields in which to land, providing a spectacle for the onlookers and photographers that follow the flights from the ground.
Local bluesman Jimmy Voegeli has worked his mojo to put together a stellar lineup of blues bands to get the crowds groovin'. The Leman Quartet leads off with some swingy, bluesy jazz and bop at 7 p.m. June 17. Their song "Boom Boom - Out Goes the Lights" offers a taste of things to come. After the sun goes down, the pilots will fire up their tethered balloons to provide a scenic backdrop as local favorite Birddog Blues Band takes the stage at 8:30 p.m., with licks and riffs on the harp from Ken "Birddog" Olufs and sultry power vocals from Jennifer DePrez. Festival organizers are maximizing the entertainment value by locating the stage near the balloon glow so attendees can enjoy both at once. Food and beer will be available.
Left Wing Bourbon Band kicks off the Saturday lineup at 2:30 p.m., mixing soul and boogie with funky blues. Green County's favorite piano-playing dairy farmer Jimmy Voegeli brings his band The Jimmys to the stage at 4:30 p.m. Recently voted "Best Horn Band" at the Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards, The Jimmys are also in the spotlight for their critically acclaimed recent CD release "Hot Dish." Brent Johnson and the Call Up bring their New Orleans style swagger to Wisconsin for a set that starts at 6:30 p.m. The final band of the evening features vocalist Michael Ledbetter (a descendant of legendary folk and blues musician Lead Belly) and the blazing fretwork of guitar master Nick Moss. The Nick Moss Band plays from 8:30 until 10 p.m., again with balloons blazing in the background for the evening glow.
Also on Saturday is the Hot Air Hot Wheels Car Show (with vehicles in 21 categories) and fun and games for the kids. New this year is Green County Gran Fondue, a cycling event fundraiser with proceeds benefiting area cancer patients via Monroe Clinic and Hospital Foundation Cancer Fund. Food stands and local brews will be available all day.
The 2016 Monroe Balloon and Blues Festival is presented by Arc of Green County, an organization providing funding for area handicapped and disabled individuals.
Admission to the Green County Fairgrounds is free, with parking on-site for a nominal fee. Free street parking also is available. For information on lodging in the Monroe and Green County area, go to www.greencounty.org or call 888-222-9111 for an area visitor guide, lodging options and map. For an updated schedule of events, visit www.monroeballoonrally.com.
After a one-year hiatus, the Green County Fairgrounds again will be buzzing with excitement June 17 and 18 as pilots take to the skies with their colorful hot air balloons.
The first balloon launch is at 6 p.m. June 17 at the Green County Fairgrounds, 2600 10th St. Subsequent launches are at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. June 18. Evening "balloon glows" are planned for 8:30 p.m. on both days.
Flight patterns will follow the prevailing winds over the Green County countryside. When the propane runs low, pilots keep an eye out for open fields in which to land, providing a spectacle for the onlookers and photographers that follow the flights from the ground.
Local bluesman Jimmy Voegeli has worked his mojo to put together a stellar lineup of blues bands to get the crowds groovin'. The Leman Quartet leads off with some swingy, bluesy jazz and bop at 7 p.m. June 17. Their song "Boom Boom - Out Goes the Lights" offers a taste of things to come. After the sun goes down, the pilots will fire up their tethered balloons to provide a scenic backdrop as local favorite Birddog Blues Band takes the stage at 8:30 p.m., with licks and riffs on the harp from Ken "Birddog" Olufs and sultry power vocals from Jennifer DePrez. Festival organizers are maximizing the entertainment value by locating the stage near the balloon glow so attendees can enjoy both at once. Food and beer will be available.
Left Wing Bourbon Band kicks off the Saturday lineup at 2:30 p.m., mixing soul and boogie with funky blues. Green County's favorite piano-playing dairy farmer Jimmy Voegeli brings his band The Jimmys to the stage at 4:30 p.m. Recently voted "Best Horn Band" at the Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards, The Jimmys are also in the spotlight for their critically acclaimed recent CD release "Hot Dish." Brent Johnson and the Call Up bring their New Orleans style swagger to Wisconsin for a set that starts at 6:30 p.m. The final band of the evening features vocalist Michael Ledbetter (a descendant of legendary folk and blues musician Lead Belly) and the blazing fretwork of guitar master Nick Moss. The Nick Moss Band plays from 8:30 until 10 p.m., again with balloons blazing in the background for the evening glow.
Also on Saturday is the Hot Air Hot Wheels Car Show (with vehicles in 21 categories) and fun and games for the kids. New this year is Green County Gran Fondue, a cycling event fundraiser with proceeds benefiting area cancer patients via Monroe Clinic and Hospital Foundation Cancer Fund. Food stands and local brews will be available all day.
The 2016 Monroe Balloon and Blues Festival is presented by Arc of Green County, an organization providing funding for area handicapped and disabled individuals.
Admission to the Green County Fairgrounds is free, with parking on-site for a nominal fee. Free street parking also is available. For information on lodging in the Monroe and Green County area, go to www.greencounty.org or call 888-222-9111 for an area visitor guide, lodging options and map. For an updated schedule of events, visit www.monroeballoonrally.com.