Hot Air Balloon Festival: More Than ‘Just’ the Balloons!

I’ve always wondered, but we never went.  Well, this year, we were offered the opportunity to attend and we are so glad that we did!

First and foremost, once you park your car and enter what I will call the fairgrounds, it just feels like summer.

There’s a carnival area with rides and games, and a Ferris Wheel…There’s something about a Ferris Wheel surrounded by all those carnival rides and games that just makes it feel like summer…at least for me

As we kept walking we arrived at a dedicated area to food.  We weren’t there at ‘prime eating hours’ so I was able to get a nice clear shot – and this wasn’t all of it

My husband and I were beyond impressed with the station set up by Block Parents Canada where the kids could get bracelets with their names and our phone numbers.  It’s also a meeting point for children & parents who may lose one another. It’s a good idea to point out the station to your children when you are there, and to remind them that if they get lost, they should approach someone who is clearly identified as a staff member to help them to get to the Block Parent station.

I was completely impressed with the Jean Coutu Change Station.  Fully equipped with change tables & highchairs!  While we are no longer in the diapering stage, I can still appreciate convenience for parents of babies when I see it!!

We moved on to discover an entire area dedicated to inflatables.  My kids weren’t particularly in the mood but WOW.  I have never seen so many inflatables in one area.  We also noted that because there were so many, the line-ups weren’t crazy…except at the largest one, which I have dubbed the largest inflatable on earth.  The kids were totally into that one…but we weren’t into the hour-long wait!

We doubled back to the rides and games and the kids loved it.  We had to buy tickets but having gone on just a ride or two each, the kids were satisfied!

Our family shared two giant lemonades from Lemon Heaven.  The kids decided to flavour one à la iced-tea.  they were both great!

Unfortunately, due to the windy conditions, the balloon flight at 6PM got cancelled.  Given that it began to drizzle, we took our lemonade & picnicked in the car instead of while watching the balloons take flight which is what we had hoped to do.  It was actually great

As we left the grounds, we asked about having missed the hot air balloons and were handed tickets to come back- this year or next – without a moment’s hesitation!  You can be sure we’ll be adding this to our summer plans for next year – we really want to see those balloons!

The kids thanked us for taking us and told us that they had a great time.  At the end of the day- what more could we ask for?

It’s on until August 17th and Hedley is performing there on this stage tomorrow night- Saturday, August 16th – Check it out at www.ballooncanada.com

Please allow me to share with you my “Storify” so that you can get a true feel for our afternoon