COSHOCTON − Hot air balloons will once again dot the Coshocton landscape this weekend as they have for more than 40 years. Activities will be June 4 to 6 at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds.

The Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival is one of the longest running of its kind in Ohio, drawing visitors and balloonists from all over. This year’s event will feature 20 hot air balloons, which launch if weather permits.

The Touchstone Energy Cooperative Balloon, sponsored by Frontier Power, will offer tethered balloon rides from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 4 and 7 to 8:30 a.m. June 6 for $20. Proceeds benefit the Frontier Power Company’s Community Connections Fund. A three balloon demonstration flight will be at 7 p.m. June 4 too.

Midway and vendors open at 4 p.m. June 4, 1 p.m. June 5 and 11 a.m. June 6. Wristbands for children’s rides are $15 from 4 to 9 p.m. June 4 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 6. There will also be children’s activities, crafts booths, music and food vendors on-site.

Opening ceremonies will be at 5:45 p.m. June 5, with music by Seventy80 at 6 p.m. and Night Glow, featuring balloons firing up on the infield of the fairgrounds, at 9:15 p.m. Balloons are scheduled to launch at 6:45 p.m., based on the weather.

Balloons are also scheduled to launch at 6:30 a.m. June 6. The safety and skills showcase is noon to 3 p.m., sidewalk chalk drawing is at 3 p.m., meeting the pilots is from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. and the Victorious KayBirds will perform at 6:30 p.m. Another balloon launch is at 6:45 p.m. with fireworks at 10 p.m.

Admission and parking is free. For more information, go to the Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival website.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Coshocton skies fill with color as hot air balloon festival returns

Reporting by Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune / Coshocton Tribune

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