"ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!" -- CHARLES MUNTZ, DISNEY'S "UP!"
For 36 years, starting in 1986, Natchez, Mississippi has been home to the Natchez Balloon Festival. This year celebrates year 37. The festival is located at the historic Rosalie Mansion, that was established in 1823, and is now a National Historic Landmark. The Rosalie is a museum in and of itself, housing original and rare belongings from the founders and inhabitants of years gone by, and in 2023 the Rosalie will be celebrating 200 years of rich history!
FESTIVAL
From October 14-16, 2022 on the Rosalie mansion grounds, the 37th annual Natchez Balloon Festival gates will open at 4 p.m. on Friday, closing at 8pm, and opening gates at 11 a.m. on Saturday, closing at 8 p.m. The balloons will begin flying at 7:30 a.m. and around 4:30 p.m. depending on stable wind conditions. Due to weather, balloon viewing location sites will vary. The best way to find out the locations is by going to the www.natchezdemocrat.com website to get the launch and landing sites, and any other important festival updates. Weather permitting, the pilots will be flying the hot-air balloons over the Rosalie on Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday the goal is to launch from the bluff near Broadway and High Streets.
Kids 10 and under get in free, and service animals are the only animals allowed entrance into the festival. No food or outside drinks are allowed, so leave your coolers at home. Support local small businesses by purchasing delicious food and beverages from the vendors on site, or various restaurants in the area. Parking is free, and shuttles will be provided. Parking can be found at the D.A. Biglane Drive lot, street parking, and also at the Visitor Center. Shuttles will be available to and from the festival, but not from hotels. Chairs and blankets are approved, but no umbrellas allowed, for viewing convenience of fellow festival guests. If you have a gun permit, please leave it at home, as they are not allowed in the festival. No drones are allowed. Festival souvenirs and merchandise can be purchased at any of the vending sites at the festival, or online. Tickets are available in advance and at the gates. Tickets purchased in advance will save you between $5-10 depending on the day.
PIXABAY: 12019
The Natchez Balloon Festival will have carnival rides and games for kids young and old at heart, and arts and crafts for the more creative-minded festival goers. There will be a great selection of live entertainment such as Tank and the Bangas, Chapel Heart, The Molly Ringwalds, and more.
For more information on this year's festival, please visit: https://natchezballoonfestival.com/
