WRAL Freedom Balloon Festival Coverage

2022 North Carolina festival guide: Festivals in NC for spring and beyond

Here's a month-by-month look at festivals in NC from the mountains to the coast.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

NC woman celebrates 104th birthday with a parade of loved ones

Rosa Lee Corbett was born and raised in Johnston County, starting her life in 1916. After celebrating her 99th birthday with a hot air balloon ride, she's now celebrating her 104th birthday with a socially-distanced parade of loved ones and community heroes.

Heather Leah, WRAL multiplatform producer and Bryan Mims, WRAL reporter

Downtown Nightlife Photos: April 3-9

Downtown nightlife photos taken March 27 - April 5, 2018, in downtown Raleigh at Cornerstone Tavern, Black Flower and Alchemy. Photos courtesy of NCEventPics.com.

2018 North Carolina Festival Guide

A look at the festivals around the state this year.

Kathy Hanrahan, Out and About editor and Jessica Patrick, WRAL.com editor

Balloon Fest makes man's sky-high marriage proposal a reality

The WRAL Freedom Balloon Festival ended Monday, but for one Triangle couple, their memories from the event will last a lifetime.

Jessica Patrick

Balloon Fest neighbors wake up to a large surprise

Some residents in a Fuquay-Varina neighborhood got a huge surprise on Monday when a hot air balloon from the WRAL Freedom Balloon Festival glided right over their homes.

25 Triangle events to check out this week

Whether you're at the end of a long weekend or back at work already, there are plenty of fun events to keep you busy in the Triangle this week.

Organizer: Over 100,000 attended Balloon Fest 2017

The WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest comes to a close Monday with hot air balloon competition flights and a flag ceremony to honor military members.

Pilots take to the sky on Balloon Fest's final day

Balloon flights and a Memorial Day service are among the events at the final day of the WRAL Freedom Balloon Festival.

Mom keeps spirits up as balloon volunteer while sailor son serves

Memorial Day weekend has taken on a more poignant meaning for Teresa Troup since her son decided he needed to do his duty to protect the country.

Statesville is home to legendary balloon builders

The company now called FireFly has changed brands and changed hands over 50 years in existence, but one thing remains the same - made-in-the-USA hot air balloons.

Weekend best bets: Balloon Fest, Doughman

The WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest, the Doughman "foodie" race, live music and theater top our list of best bets this weekend.

Kathy Hanrahan

Fuquay-Varina business owners hope Balloon Fest visitors drift into town

While last year's WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest was a sight to see in Fuquay-Varina, some downtown businesses were left wondering why they didn't see a surge of customers. As Fuquay-Varina prepares to host the event for the second time this weekend, organizers are tweaking festival plans to help local businesses capitalize as tens of thousands of people descend on the areas in and around the festival.

Plan to park and walk to WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest

The WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest will be held at Fleming Loop Park in Fuquay-Varina Friday through Monday.

Kathy Hanrahan