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 This year's festival previewed on Thursday evening with a ribbon
cut, the celebration of the city of Lincoln's 162nd Birthday and a
few balloons doing a low altitude launch at the Logan County
Airport.
Meanwhile downtown, artists were finishing marvels of chalk art on
walkways around the square - you know you want to get dressed up a
bit if you are celebrating and if you have a few guests coming in to
visit.
Not only will there be plenty of color in the air this weekend, but
also under foot in the downtown area of Lincoln. On Thursday school
children and artists were busy adding one more layer of color and
festivity adorning Lincoln's Historic Courthouse Square walkways.
This year's temporary chalk-based designs range whimsical to
dramatic to pop-culture.
If you have the time, be sure to go downtown on Friday and Saturday,
take a stroll to see these temporary works.
 Of course the big attraction this weekend will be the 31 beautiful
hot air balloons that are scheduled to take to the skies over Logan
County Friday evening, Saturday morning and Saturday night. As usual
the balloonists are set to launch from the airport on Friday and
Saturday evenings, with a number of balloonist returning for crowd
jazzing dusk-time glows. For early birds, balloons are set to launch
at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning. Times may vary with winds and
visibility.
Entry to the airport is only $5 per person ($1 under 10 years of
age), $1 parking.
Once inside the gates this year has more entertainment than ever
before and with all the great food options.
New this year is the Celebrity Dunk Tank. The lineup of guest
“dunkies” includes State Representative Tim Butler, Aldermen Todd
Mourning and Michelle Bauer, LCHS Baseball coaches Pat Hake and
Chris Phillips and all the Alliance staff.
Also new will be inflatable watersides. And on Friday, Wild Exotics
Petting Zoo.
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Gates open at 11 a.m. on Saturday and activities both Friday and Saturday
include bungee jump, rock wall climbing, Carnival, Bags Tournament, and tether
balloon rides from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at $15 per adult and $10 per child.
A new company, Chicago Kite will fly 30 foot kites, host kite making and
demonstrations for families on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. lasting to dusk.
Great bands will once again be taking the stage both Friday (8:30 p.m.) and
Saturday (8 p.m.) evenings. Back by popular demand on Friday night is Captain
Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters. On Saturday Hat Trick plays at 4 p.m. and
following the balloon glow on Saturday night, Borderline out of St. Louis will
conclude the weekend festivities.
The beer tent will be open across from the entertainment stage on Friday evening
4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
There aren't many opportunities to enjoy a festival of this caliber right
outside your back door like this one. You're sure to have a great time and see
all your favorite friends when you come out to enjoy this great end of season
festival.
[Jan Youngquist]
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