Are you ready for the weekend? In Lincoln, Balloons Over 66 will return with tons of events starting on Friday morning and running through Saturday night. ALL the events are free to attend, though if you visit downtown, you might want to have a little cash in your pocket for the many food trucks parked around the Logan County Courthouse Square or for beverages and food from your favorite local eatery.

But before we see those hot air balloons drifting among the clouds, there are two other special events the public is invited to attend.

On Thursday at 5:30 p.m., there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and unveiling of the new Moses Pinkerton Gallery on the third floor of the Lincoln Arts Institute. The public is invited to attend but should be aware that the third floor is accessible by stairway only.

On Friday evening at approximately 5:15 to 5:30 p.m., there will also be a ribbon cutting at the Lincoln Comfort Inn on the city's west side as the official kick-off of the balloon portion of the weekend.

Please be sure to come out and make welcome the 39 pilots who will take to the skies soon after the cutting.

Photo Nila Smith and from LDN archives                     [Click on image for larger version]