Freedom Balloon Fest returns to Fuquay-Varina

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The festival, which will be held at Fleming Loop Park Friday through Monday, will include hot air balloon competitions, tethered rides, live music and a beer and wine garden. As with last year, the festival will not be offering official parking lots or shuttle transportation to the venue.

Parking will be a challenge at Freedom Balloon Fest

Even the closest parking lot can be up to a half mile from the entrance, so plan accordingly. Admission to the festival remains free this year.

Friday through Sunday nights there will be mass ascensions of balloons (or balloons will fly into the park) after 6 p.m., followed by tethered rides and balloon glows.

On Saturday through Monday mornings, hot air balloon pilots will be competing (weather permitting). This could contain flying into or out of the venue and dropping something on a target. Competition flights will start around 6 a.m. and wrap up by 9 a.m. So if you want to watch, arrive by 6 a.m.

Tethered balloon rides are being offered each evening. The balloon is anchored to the ground limiting the rides to 30 to 40 feet in the air. Like all balloon flights, tethered rides are conducted wind and weather permitting.

It costs $20 per ride and is cash only.

When balloons aren't in the area, there are still things to do at Fleming Loop Park. There will be a merchant and craft village and vintage amusement park rides (bring money to ride). On Saturday and Sunday, the craft beer and wine garden will open at noon. Live music starts around 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.