Hot air balloons to fill the skies during WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest

I'm so excited to check out the WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest this weekend. The event, which runs Friday through Sunday, will feature dozens of hot air balloons, opportunities for tethered rides and more.

I grew up in upstate New York where there seemed to be balloons in the sky all of the time, weather permitting. And my kids always get a thrill when we sometimes catch a glimpse of one while we're on the field at the WRAL Soccer Center in north Raleigh. So I'm so excited to see this with them.

Kathy Hanrahan over at WRAL.com's Out & About section has a great rundown of all of the activities, parking recommendations and events each day of the festival. Events take place in Zebulon and north Raleigh.

One piece to add: The owner of Bennett Bunn Plantation plans to offer carriage rides using an eight person fringed carriage pulled by his team of giant black Percherons - Pete and Prince. They stand greater than 18 hands high and are quite the team, Brian Hoyle, one of the event's organizers, tell me.

Can't wait!