Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally is an annual family-friendly event in Topeka, northeast Kansas. The festival, with more than 45 years of history, is organized every September by the Great Plains Balloon Club at the Mount Hope Balloon Field, between SW Huntoon Street & SW Fairlawn Road. The event is free and open to the public.

Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally Highlights

Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally features about 20 hot air balloons. Mass ascensions take four times during the weekend weather permitting. The launch windows are expected on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 pm to 7 pm, and also on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 7 am to 8 pm. Other popular activities include Balloon Glow, scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings after balloon flights between 7:30 and 8:30 pm. Don't miss the sight of tethered hot air balloons, which illuminate the skies with their soft light.

The festival also offers the Balloon Discovery Workshop for youth on Saturday afternoon. The experience is targeted at 6th-8th graders who are interested to learn how a hot air balloon works. Attendees can get hands-on experience putting a hot air balloon together and becoming a part of a balloon team. More information is available by the links in the External Resources below.

Air Balloon Rally Schedule

On Friday, the first day of the festival, the Balloon Flight Launch Window will be from 6 pm to 7 pm, followed by the Balloon Glow from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. On festival Saturday, the Balloon Flight Launch Window will take place from 7 am to 8 am and again from 6 pm to 7 pm. Balloon Discovery will begin at 4 pm, and Balloon Glow will end the day from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. On Sunday, Balloon Flight Launch Window will take place only from 7 am to 8 am.