Is it a blimp, is it a plane? No, it’s a hot air balloon festival. The 27th Annual Arkansas Hot Air Balloon State Championship is back again! The sky in Harrison will be covered with colorful and creative hot air balloons. And the 2024 sky bonanza will be bigger and better than before. So, grab your lawn chairs and come and experience the most epic event this summer. Once you hear more about this event you’ll want to pack your bags and head to the hot air balloon festival Arkansas.

The three-day event will kick off on Friday, Sept 12, 2024, at 4 p.m. at the Anstaff Soccer Complex in Harrison.
MRHSfan/Flickr
This is a family-friendly event, and the kids will absolutely love seeing the themed balloons. Best of all, the event is free to all. You can have an incredible evening with all your friends and family for next to nothing.
Enjoy the live entertainment, food and retail vendors, 5k race, and more!
Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races/Facebook
On Friday evening the balloons will be tethered so you can check them out on the ground. On Saturday and Sunday the competitions and flights will begin.
The little ones will love the kite races, seeing the hot air balloons, and the kids zone filled with fun games and activities.
Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races/Facebook
Parents too will enjoy seeing the balloons and learning about the way they operate.

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Best of all, there will be helicopter and tethered balloon rides. You’ll enjoy seeing the beauty of Harrison from above.
Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races/Facebook
How adventurous are you? These activities aren't for people who are afraid of heights!
But the highlight of this event are the hot air balloons. And there will be tons to do and see with them.
Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races/Facebook
Many are branded by sponsored organizations, others come in bright colors and fun patterns.
In addition to the tethered rides, there will be hot air balloon races as well as balloon flights over the town.
Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races/Facebook
And the glow show, where the tethered balloons light up the nighttime skies will be spectacular. You’ll want to stay to witness the balloon glow show on both Friday and Saturday evening. There are so many fun activities to be had over the course of the weekend.
On Sunday, the event concludes with a final balloon flight competition, where the skies will be laced with these colorful spectacles.
Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races/Facebook
Lastly, the organizers mention that the best vantage point to witness the balloon flights is the First Baptist Church. And it’s located at 1400 South Pine Street, so look to the sky between 7 and 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday morning.

Please note that weather conditions may impact some events.

So, have you been to this hot air balloon festival in Arkansas? If so, tell us about how much fun you had there in the comments below. We love to hear your firsthand accounts of these unique experiences and this festival is one for the books.

And for more information about the schedule and the activities at the festival, visit the Arkansas Hot Air Balloon Championship website or Arkansas Balloon Festival Facebook page. 

While in Harrison, you’ll want to grab a bite to eat at this old-fashioned diner. 

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More to Explore

Natural Wonders In Arkansas

CC | April 17, 2024

What are other natural wonders in Arkansas?

It’s hard to beat this incredible and memorable balloon festival, but there are lots of other great treasures to find throughout Arkansas’ natural world. If you’re visiting the state, put these natural wonders in Arkansas on your list. Whether you’re hiking, bird watching, kayaking, or strolling, there’s no wrong way to see all that Arkansas has to offer outdoors.

  • Little Grand Canyon
  • Hall’s Creek Canyon
  • Blanchard Springs Caverns Fifty-Six
  • Cosmic Caverns, Berryville
  • War Eagle Cavern
  • Blowing Cave
  • Cedar Falls
  • Falling Water Falls
  • Buffalo National River
  • Pinnacle Mountain
  • Natural Bridge
  • Arkansas Sphinx
  • Hot Springs National Park
  • Lake Chicot
  • White Cliffs

 

What are the most charming towns in Arkansas?

Beauty doesn’t begin and end in this forests and cliffs of Arkansas; it also lives in populated areas. There are also endless picturesque small towns to enjoy while road tripping through the state. These charming small towns in Arkansas are some of the best.

  • Hardy
  • Mena
  • Jasper
  • Wilson
  • Eureka Springs
  • Mountain View
  • Mammoth Spring

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Featured Addresses
Anstaff Soccer Complex, 202 Old Stonewall Rd, Harrison, AR 72601, USA