
Friday and Saturday, August 19th & 20th, 2022

Sold Out Again This Year!
Have You Ever Wanted to Ride in a Hot Air Balloon? Now may be you chance!
We can also arrange Rides available with participating Hot Air Balloons. Contact us at (402) 346-8003.
Balloon Rides Sold Out Again this Year! Get on the List NOW for next year!

Video by Passport Aerial Photography
A hot air balloon creates excitement that attracts and holds attention. More than six million spectators annually attend hundreds of balloon events nationwide, more than any other outdoor summer activity, including baseball games and car races.
Balloons launch Friday and Saturday Evening 7 PM
Balloons launch by 7:30 pm – Gates open at 5:00 pm to give spectators an early glimpse at the hot air balloons as pilots assemble them for their flights. (Weather Permitting)
First, the pilot and crew spread the colorful canopy out across the grass and connect the balloon envelope (canopy) to the gondola. Balloons are inflated with giant fans. Then the pilot ignites the burner forcing hot blasts of air into the balloon canopy, which causes it to rise. Remember your early science lessons – “Hot Air Rises.” Part of the romance in ballooning, is not knowing exactly where the air currents take you. Balloon pilots navigate by ascending and descending the balloons into different air currents, but they are incapable of actually “steering” the balloon into a precise location and can land miles from their launch site. Chase crews follow the balloons to their destinations as the balloons rarely land where they launch.
The Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival is the First Showcase of its kind and will be similar to other Balloon & Wine Festivals around the country which have become successful including those in the Temecula Valley, California and Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. The Festival is scheduled for Friday, August 19, 5 pm – 11 pm and Saturday, August 20, 3 pm – 11 pm with Adult General Admission at $15 and Children under 12 at $8.00 and 5 & under free throughout the two Day Event.
Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival Balloon List & Pilots
Balloonmeister: Matt Fenster

RE/MAX
Pilot: Matt Fenster
Bellevue, NE

Emerald City Express
Pilot: Michael Jones
Omaha, NE

Son Light
Pilot: Tim Cloyd
Runnells, IA

jQuest Balloon
Pilot: Jon Kolba
Crooks, SD

Dreams Fulfilled
Pilot: Brian Carlson
Topeka, KS

Highly Contagious
Pilot: Darcy Hoch
Milo, IA

Nathan Detroits
Pilot: John Folsom
Grand Island, NE

Joker's Wild
Pilot: Robb Johnson
Council Bluffs, IA

Belvediere
Pilot: Adam Jaworski
Blair, NE

Breaking Dawn
Pilot: Lori Hutchinson
Topeka, KS

Scenic Breeze
Pilot: Steve Lacroix
Omaha, NE
For More Information, Contact: Mike Mancuso and Joe Mancuso, Festival Manager
Produced By: Mid-America Expositions,Inc. (402) 346-8003