ICYMI: Hot Air for Hope Balloon Festival happening May 17-19 at Lampe Park in Gardnerville
The 2nd annual Hot Air for Hope Balloon Festival is returning May 17-19 at Lampe Park in Gardnerville. This is a free community event that benefits the Center for Hope and Healing.
“The Center has worked to support grieving families for the past 12 years, to start the healing process as they navigate the loss of their loves ones,” a spokesperson for the event wrote. “With the help of our community, the Center for Hope and Healing is proud to offer peer support groups, free of charge, to children, teens, adults and families in Douglas, Carson, Lake Tahoe and surrounding communities.”
In addition to a number of balloons, there are several food trucks, entertainment, craft vendors, non-profit booths, and much more!
There are dozens of vendors, performers and booths, all of which can be viewed here.
Friday
On Friday, May 17 the fun begins at Lampe Park at 5 a.m. with the opening of the park, and at 6 a.m. the national anthem will be sung followed by the Flag Balloons Launch.
at 6:15 a.m., the rest of the balloons will begin to launch carrying media, veterans and first responders.
The “Fire it Up, Carson Valley!” event begins at 6 p.m. Friday at Lampe Park with the opening of food trucks and vendor booths which will remain open until 10 p.m.
Balloon pilots will begin arriving around 6:45 p.m. for a public meet and greet, and at 7:30 p.m., pilots will prepare baskets to “fire it up!” candlestick and chip shot style.
Saturday
The park will open again at 5 a.m. with food trucks on site from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Arts, crafts and food booths will open at 5:30 a.m. and will also be on site until 3 p.m.
The national anthem and flag balloons launch will take place at 6 a.m., followed by the rest of the balloons launching at 6:15 a.m.
From 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., experience tethered balloons, performers and entertainment throughout the day!
Sunday
The park will open at 5 a.m. and food trucks will be on site from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The national anthem and flag balloons launch will take place at 6 a.m. followed by the rest of the balloons launching at 6:15 a.m.
Weather permitting, tethered balloons will be available at 7:30 a.m.
For more information, please visit https://www.hotairforhope.com/ or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hotairforhope