Balloons Over Bay Harbor event returns this weekend
BAY HARBOR — Balloons will begin to take flight starting this Friday, Sept. 16, and extending into Sunday, Sept. 18 at the third annual Balloons Over Bay Harbor event.
This year will be the third time the village has celebrated the weekend-long event. Established in 2019, it was started after a pilot, Derrick Jones, reached out to start an event in Northern Michigan.
The event was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19.
“He wanted it to be here and for it to be a community event that touches all of our towns around us,” said Michelle Denise, marketing manager for Bay Harbor Company.
There are 14 pilots coming in for the event, and Denise estimates that the turnout is usually around 2,500-3,000 people coming and going throughout the weekend.
Denise said the community didn’t know what to expect during the first year, but now it's a big hit.
“It's just something people look forward to and always ask about ... because it's just so different,” Denise said. “For sure something we so enjoy hosting."
Friday’s festivities begin at 4 p.m., with Main Street vendors opening. There will be food trucks and artisans as the event begins. In addition, Twister Joe, a Northern Michigan balloon artist, will be available. They’ll pack up and close at 8 p.m.
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More: Twister Joe: Northern Michigan's home town ambassador
The first balloon launch of the weekend will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the marina lawn. The launch will be emceed by Jim Engel.
From 7-10 p.m. Friday, there will be a 21 and older private swim bash at the Bay Harbor Swim Club. There are limited tickets, which cost $100 and come with food and drinks for the three hours. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.
From 8-8:30 p.m., there will be “Night Glows,” where the balloons will be lit up while grounded, allowing for people to take photos with the balloons.
Saturday morning kicks off with the second round of balloon launches at 7:30 a.m. There will be a Maple + Batter breakfast trailer onsite along with Tillie’s Tafel cinnamon rolls.
At 10 a.m. the Autumn Glory 3K Color Fun Run will begin, starting at the boat launch, going to the observation platform in Lakeshore Village, and then back to the starting point. Registration is $20 prior to the event and $25 day of. Runners get a white t-shirt to run in, and proceeds go to McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation’s Pediatric Patient Fund.
Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., main street vendors will be open, live music will be played at the marina terrace, and there will be plenty of events for kids.
Yankee Station will be taking the stage from 1-4 p.m. at the north lawn terrace as well.
Throughout the weekend, there are multiple opportunities for painting along with Gaudy Giggles, a paint party vendor. Family paint-alongs will be at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, and adult sip and paint-alongs are at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
There will be another Night Glow on Saturday night starting at 8 p.m.
The weekend will wrap up at 7:30 a.m. Sunday with the final balloon launch of the event.
Denise said families should come down to see the event because it’s not something you can see very often.
“It's just nonstop activities throughout the weekend," she said. “The balloons are just the anchor of it because they're just so amazing.”
All balloon flights are dependent on weather conditions. A majority of events are free admission, but those that need registration are available at bayharbor.com.
“It's an event that should not be missed if you are in the local area and you are available to come down for one or all of the launches,” Denise said. "It's just something you won't forget because it's a very memorable experience to watch these balloons in action.”
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Balloons Over Bay Harbor event returns this weekend
