Ravenna BALLOON A-FAIR Fall Hot Air Balloon Festival Rally in Northeast Ohio
Unofficial Balloon A-Fair page for Northeast Ohio's Premier Fall Festival of Color
Ravenna Balloon A-Fair is the official name; often seen as Balloon-A-Fair; AFair; Affair; and A Fair
The Ravenna Balloon A-Fair is the 2nd oldest Hot Air Balloon Festival in Ohio, having started in 1979. This is the 32 nd Balloon A-Fair. (Coschton is claming the oldest at 28 years) -- It appears Marysville is oldest, starting in 1975?--
3rd WEEKEND IN SEPTEMBER RAVENNA BALLOON
A-FAIR (Weekend
of the 3rd Saturday) P
O Box 454 Ravenna OH 44266 330.296.3247 www.ravennaballoonafair.com
One of the many great festivals in Portage County
Ohio Also see page: HotAirBalloonsbutton and Facebook group: Ohio Hot Air Balloon
SPRING DANCE - 2010 Sat. February 27 - 50's 60's theme 7 pm -midnight admission fee $8.00 per person. serious snacks included, contests, prizes. Cash bar. INFO 330.297.1898
Video 2006 of balloon launch go to www.youtube.comsearch for "Ravenna Balloon A-fair" 2007 go to www.myspace.com search for "Ravenna Balloon A-fair"
Balloon A-Fair - 2010 - Sept 16, 18,19
The 2010 Grand Marshal is Neil Mann, Jr.
The Grand Marshal is an individual who has contributed much to the community in non work related ways AND . Lives in Ravenna City or TWP . For 2011 please send a letter explaining in detail their many contributions to the community, no job related info need not be included, should be sent to the
Balloon A-Fair by _Jan Feb?_______2011.
2010 Thur Sept 16 -CHILDREN'S PARADE Line up 5:30 pm at . Parade 6:30 pm. Theme: Let The Wind Take You To Your Dreams About 200 children participate in this brief parade. Ronald McDonald & prizes awarded after.
Thursday September 16, 2010 – 6:30 pm Children's Parade around 200 children with Walking Floats, Wagon Floats, Costumes, Pets, etc,- About 12-15 minutes - Ronald McDonald entertains afterward at the prize ceremony. Saturday Sept 18, 2010: Sat only Grand Parade 9:00 am- rain or shine - 100-130 units Craft, Food, Display BOOTHS till 5:00 pm BANDS & ENTERNTAINMENT CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT
Downtown events are free
SUNBEAU VALLEY FARM, 2 Miles W of downtown. FREE PARKING Brady Lake Road, west of Rt 59 (W Main St) & Wall St MAIN GATE - 3100 Brady LakeRd - Natural wood split rail fence along road - .4 mile W of Rt 59 - 41 09' 49" N - 81 16' 45"W /
Handicap & Passes only--looks like main gate - Sunbeau Farm arch, white board fence turns to follow drive. -- .2mile W of Rt 59 - 41 09' 42 ' N -- 81 16' 36" W $5.00 admission to Sunbeau- 13 & older. As with 95% of Balloon Festivals, there are NO REFUNDS No pets, skateboards, roller blades, etc, bicycles Downtown or Sunbeau - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2010 SAT : Afternoon 2010 Gates open 2 pm Sat.- Food and Craft Booths - Entertainment Balloon launches Sat 5:30 pm –Wind & Weather permitting typically 19 to 23 balloons 2009 Fireworks Sat evening - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUN Gates open 2010 - 10 am Sun
2010 Food, Craft Booths, Bands - Sun at Sunbeau 2010 TRACTOR SHOW - 2010 CAR SHOW 2010Balloon launches Sun 5:30 pm –Wind & Weather permitting - No pets, skateboards, roller blades, etc, bicycles Downtown or Sunbeau
Parade units are by approval, application must be submitted by the deadline date.
CRAFT SHOW PEOPLE: Booth space for craftors is available for 2010 at a very reasonable price. Time periods:Saturday- downtown all day OR Sunbeau mid-afternoon to night. Because of time overlap you need 2 crews & 2 setups if you want to do both on Sat. Sunday - all day at Sunbeau (moring to 7pm).
Parade sponsored by Fortis College, Ravenna Children's Activities by McDonald's
Ravenna Balloon A-Fair P O Box 454 Ravenna OH 44266
Balloon A-Fair General Meetings: Usually 3rd Wednesday of the month at (New Site) Kentwood Restaurant, St Rt 59, Kent OH- Dinner 6pm--Meeting Only starts at 7pm. (4 months may be different date or place) Open to all interested persons. Call for details, time, and place confirmation. Dinner optional & reservations not necessary - order from regular menue.
SPRING DANCE - Sat. February 27 2010 : 7 pm - midnight admission fee $8.00 per person. (Serieous snacks included) 50' - 60' theme- 21 & over please. Door prizes, contests, raffels , cash bar - info 330.297.1898
CHRISTMAS PARADE : 2010 Fri Nov 26 7 pm Friday after Thanksgiving With MIDNIGHT MADNESS High School to Meridian St. Participation by application. All units must be lighted
NOTE : Balloon launches are DEPENDENT on the WEATHER--They can NOT lauch if winds are above 10 mph. FAA prohibits launch if storms are approaching within 60 miles- They festival people WANT TO LAUNCH but final control is up to the FAA Federal Aviation Administration. Refunds are not given at probably 95% of the festivals- they still have all the expenses.
You probably don't realize it, but a festival costs $30,000. to $100,000 or more!
Muncie Ind cancelled this year (2009) after 15 years. They were rained out 2008 lossing that
revenue and a major sponsor dropped out 2009. Counter at 2342 on Apr 2, 2010
