OVERVIEW OF SCHEDULED EVENTS:

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2024

WELCOME WEDNESDAY!

Volunteer and Sponsor Appreciation BBQ and Softball game at Pioneer park. Come enjoy an evening celebrating our volunteers and sponsors. NEW THIS YEAR! Remote Controlled Balloon Demonstration.

(RC) balloons are a smaller version of hot air balloons and are fueled by propane. Something to see as the mini-balloons fly with their remote controlled handlers near by.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024

Western Nebraska Community College NIGHT GLOW

Sponsored by WNCC, Hot Air Balloons light up the night sky for one of the most anticipated nights at Old West Balloon Fest. Food and merchandise vendors provide unique food experiences and hot air balloon related merchandise will be available for purchase. Get up close and personal to speak with hot air and RC balloon pilots. Make sure to ask them for a collectible hot air balloon trading card.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2024 

Platte Valley Companies presents the Morning Mass Ascension at Mitchell Recreation Field.

Witness the spectacular view as hot air balloons inflate and take flight at sunrise. NEW THIS YEAR, all activities will take place in Mitchell on the launch field. Look for the official merchandise tent, kids discovery zone tent, food and merchandise vendors (to see a complete list of vendors serving breakfast go to our vendor page).

Once the balloons have taken off, enjoy the kids discovery zone to learn about everything hot air ballooning. RC balloon flight demonstration and the kids camp participants will fly their tissue paper balloons after the mass ascension. Plan to spend the morning taking part in all of the exciting activities!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2024

PLATTE VALLEY COMPANIES presents the Morning Mass Ascension at Mitchell Recreation Field.

Witness the spectacular view as hot air balloons inflate and take flight at sunrise. Witness the spectacular view as hot air balloons inflate and take flight at sunrise. NEW THIS YEAR, all activities will take place in Mitchell on the launch field. Look for the official merchandise tent, kids discovery zone tent, food and merchandise vendors (to see a complete list of vendors serving breakfast go to our vendor page). Redz Bar and Grill will be serving Mimosa’s and Bloody Mary’s in our beer garden. RC Balloon Demonstration will take place after the mass ascension.

CRAFT FAIR AND WIENER DOG RACES

After the morning events at Mitchell Recreation Field, join us in DOWNTOWN Mitchell on Center Street for the Old West Balloon Fest Craft Fair. Over 100 local vendors display their homemade crafts and exquisite one of a kind wares. Enjoy the fourth annual Weiner Dog Races at Miners Park at the end of Center street at 11:00 am. Little doggies race in age categories to claim the prize of top dog in this hilarious venture of controlled chaos.

CORN HOLE TOURNAMENT

REDZ BAR AND GRILL hosts the fourth annual Old West Balloon Fest Corn Hole Tournament. Center Street will be blocked off to host this one of a kind tournament. Watch as over 35 competitive teams vie for the bragging rights and top money prizes in the Old West Balloon Fest Corn Hole Tournament.

OLD WEST BALLOON FEST NIGHT GLOW AND DRONE SHOW.

RURAL RADIO presents the night glow and SKYWORX drone show at MITCHELL RECREATION FIELD. Celebrate the conclusion of the weekends events as Hot Air Balloons and RC Balloons glow in the warm Nebraska summer evening (weather permitting). You will not want to miss the one of a kind drone show presented by SKYWORX with 200 drones creating a light show of epic proportion. The evenings activities include live music, beer garden, food and merchandise vendors. Don’t forget to visit the Official Merchandise tent and the Kids Discovery Zone tent, It is an evening you will not want to miss.