Work is underway to prepare for the 41st annual Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally at Otsiningo Park.
Starting Aug 1., the park will be filled with vendors, performances, entertainment and visitors for the three-day festival.
Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally Event Director Dave Pessagno said this year more than ever the event board wanted to ensure there was “something for everybody” at the festival, including a diverse mix of live music and entertainment.
Here’s what to know about Spiedie Fest in 2025, including what’s new, parking, performances and tickets.
When does Spiedie Fest start?
The festival opens at 3 p.m. Aug. 1 and 10 a.m. Aug. 2-3.
When do the balloons launch?
Balloon launches will begin at 6 p.m. Aug. 1 and 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Aug. 2-3.
What is new for Spiedie Fest in 2025?
Pessagno said there are a couple of additions to the festival this year.
One of his and the board’s main concerns is to keep the event at a low cost for the community. For the first time, the first day of the festival on Aug. 1 will offer free admission and free concerts.
Along with this, the concert area has been expanded in order to accommodate what Pessagno believes will be an extremely large crowd.
He estimates roughly 6,000 people will be attending country singer Trace Adkin’s concert on Aug. 3.
Pessagno said the park will be lined from “one end of the park to the other,” with 215 different vendors, more than the festival has ever had.
“Everything is sold out at this point,” he said, including the volleyball tournament and food and commercial vendor space. He also estimates the event will see more participants than ever for the Kelly LaBare 5K on Aug. 3.
How much are tickets?
Daily entry gate fee is $10 Aug. 2-3. Concert tickets begin at $27.50 on Aug. 2 and $32.80 on Aug. 3. Admission is free on Aug. 1. Concert tickets can be purchased online at spiediefest.com and include admission to the festival.
Where do I park?
Parking is available at the following places:
On-site parking
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
SUNY Broome
One-site parking is free for morning balloon launches.
Who is performing?
Here’s a list of performances throughout the festival:
Aug. 1
Led Zeppelin tribute band A Zeppelin Thing will be performing at 7 p.m., and Fleetwood Mac tribute band Gold Dust Woman will be performing at 8 p.m.
Aug. 2
WWE star Ron Killings ( R-Truth) will be singing at 6 p.m., followed by Gym Class Heroes at 7 p.m.
Aug. 3
Trace Adkins will be performing at 7 p.m.
What else is there to do?
There is a packed lineup of entertainment and events throughout the weekend, including:
Aug. 1
Aug. 2
Aug. 3
For more information about the Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally, visit spiediefest.com.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Spiedie Fest 2025 in Otsiningo Park: What’s new, parking, tickets, performances
Reporting by Sunshyne Lynch, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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