The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival is a free community event held in Shawnee, a 30-minute drive from Oklahoma City, every year in mid-August. The event gathers families for two days of ballooning and other merriments at Firelake Park next to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center.
Festival Program
The fun-packed program highlights balloon launches, tethered rides, and balloon glows on Friday and Saturday nights. Besides, the visitors can indulge in quality live music, experience the best shopping with local food trucks and retail vendors, partake in Saturday's 5K fun run/walk event, and other family-friendly entertainment.
Schedule
The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival begins on Friday, August 9, with the Morning Balloon Launch at 7 am. The Outdoor Nation Expo will be open from noon until 9 pm, with an entry fee of $5, while children can enter for free. From 4 pm to 9 pm, visitors can enjoy the Kids Zone, Vendor Market, and Food Trucks. The day's events will conclude with a spectacular Drone Show at Balloon Field at 9 pm.
On the second day, the festivities start early with a 5K Run at 6:30 am, followed by the Morning Balloon Launch at 7 am. The Vendor Market and Food Trucks will be available from noon until 9 pm. The festival will end on a high note with a Balloon Glow at 8:30 pm and a live music performance at 9 pm.
Balloon Rides
Balloon rides are available for purchase, with flights contingent on favorable weather conditions. Most baskets can hold two to four passengers, who must follow a specific dress code, including closed-toe shoes and long pants. An adult must accompany children. Tethered balloon rides are offered for $20 per person on a first-come, first-served basis. Commercial balloon rides, which last approximately 30-60 minutes, can be purchased in advance for $300. Registration for commercial flights will open in the summer of 2024.
Tickets
Admission to the festival, including parking, the drone show, and live entertainment, is free of charge. Guests are encouraged to bring cash for purchases at the vendor market, food trucks, tethered balloon rides, and kids activities (require a $10 wristband). Please note that there is only one ATM available on site.
Camping
For a complete balloon festival experience, visitors can stay on the festival grounds with their RV. Registration for an RV spot is $100, which includes full hookup accommodations for the entire Fireflight Balloon Fest weekend. Campers will receive an assigned parking spot along with a map indicating their location. On-site staff will be available to assist campers in finding their assigned spots. To take advantage of this option, festival-goers must register on the official website. Registration opens in May.
