Join us for the three-day Hot Air Craft Fair at Balloon Fest. All booths are to display HANDMADE arts and crafts, or CRAFT-TYPE items. All items sold must be pre-approved by the Balloon Fest Craft Committee, which reserves the right to refuse the sale of a product or item that is not deemed to be of craft nature and/or quality.

Centralia, Illinois, Balloon Festival is held at Centralia Foundation Park. Family activities are scheduled throughout the weekend: craft fair, food vendors, free kids games and bounce houses, corvette club and antique car show, cardboard boat races, musical entertainment, and main stage bands. All times and events are subject to change. Adverse weather may prevent hot air balloons from flying. "Balloon Glow" is a registered trademark of Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, used with permission.

• Over 35 Hot Air Balloons
• Balloon Glow both Friday and Saturday!
• Main Stage Entertainment - Concert Friday and Saturday nights!
• Musicians and Entertainment throughout the day
• Friday night Fireworks!
• 60+ Craft Fair Booths
• 18+ Food / Concessions Vendors
• Car Shows
• Cardboard Boat Races
• Children's Activity Area

Schedule of Events

Friday, August 17, 2018 (3:00pm-10:30pm)

• 3:00 pm Gates Open
  • Opening Ceremony - Centralia High School Marching Showcase and Choir
  • Craft Fair Opens
  • Food Concessions Open
• 4:30-7:00 pm Entertainment under the Family Picnic Tent
  • "Class Clowns" (Classic Rock / Country)
• 5:00 pm Balloonist Enter Park*
• 6:00 pm BALLOON RACE*
• 6:00-9:00 pm TETHERED BALLOON RIDES*
• 7:30 pm BALLOON GLOW*
• 8:30-10:00 pm Main Stage Entertainment
  • "Jake Hoult" (Country / Classic Rock)
• 10:00 pm Fireworks sponsored by Monsanto

Saturday, August 18, 2018 (6:00am-10:00pm)

• 6:00 am Gates Open
• 6:30 am BALLOON RACE*
• 10:00 am
  • Craft Fair Opens
  • Food Concessions Open
• 10:00am-4:00pm Children's Activity Area (FREE w/ paid admission)
• 10:30 am-7:30 pm Entertainment under the Family Picnic Tent
  • 10:30am-1:00pm "Impersonator Singing Contest"
  • 1:00pm-3:00pm "Denmark"
  • 3:00pm-5:00pm "The Epics" ('60s)
  • 5:00pm-7:00pm "The Presswoods" (Top 40)
• 12:30-4:00 pm Car Show
• 1:00pm "Centralia Martial Arts Academy" Demonstrations (East of Catfish Pond)
• 5:00pm Balloonists Enter Park*
• 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm TETHERED BALLOON RIDES*
• 7:30 pm BALLOON GLOW *
• 8:30-10:00 pm Main Stage Entertainment
  • "Walkin' with Cash" (Johnny Cash Tribute Band)

Sunday, August 19, 2018 (6:00am-6:30pm)

• 6:00 am Gates Open
• 6:30 am BALLOON RACE*
• 10:00 am
  • Craft Fair Opens
  • Food Concessions Open
• 11:00am-2:00pm Cardboard Boat Races - Boat Building and Registration (West of Catfish Pond)
• 11:30 am - 5:00 pm Entertainment Under the Family Picnic Tent
  • 11:30am-1:30pm "The Haney's" (Gospel)
  • 1:30pm-3:00pm "Liberty Road" (Country)
  • 3:00pm-5:00pm "Salt Creek String Band" (Bluegrass)
• 12:00pm-4:00pm Children's Activity Area (FREE w/ admission)
• 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm Corvette Club Car Display
• 2:30-3:15 pm Cardboard Boat Races (Catfish Pond)
• 5:00pm Balloonist Enter Park*
• 6:00 pm BALLOON RACE*