What you need to know about the Balloons Over Route 66 event

The skies over Lincoln will be filled with color as the Balloons Over Route 66 returns Aug. 26-27. Here are some things you should know about the event.

Where to watch the balloons?

The balloons can be found at four locations in Lincoln.

• Mayfair Park- located off of North Kickapoo St., turn on Southgate across from Graue Chevrolet. The pilots who will be launching are: Garcia, Keefe, House, Boylan, Cloyd and England.

• Dugan Center- 1500 North McLean St. The pilots who will be launching are: Reusch (2), Phelan (2), Kerns, Hopp, Robinson, Mezey, Conklen, Dunn, Boesdorfer and Sutter.

• City owned lot, 315 8th St. The pilots who will be launching are: Heinzmann, Miller, Dorgan, Brouillet, Haege, Saul, Acuff, Kleiss, Day, Goodman and Jonard.

• Bateman residence, 455 Campus View Dr. The pilots who will be launching are: Wooge, Gebhart (2) Hoffman, Brownell, Klitz, Reineke, Vlazny, Devore and Carlton.

What is the schedule of the balloon launches?

Balloon launches are scheduled, depending on weather, at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, and Saturday, Aug. 27. There will also be a 6:15 a.m. launch Saturday, Aug. 28.

What is a balloon glow?

A balloon glow is when pilots light their balloon while on the ground and is usually done around dusk. Pilots will flicker their balloons and light up while sitting in a row. A balloon glow is scheduled around 8 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the lauch sites listed above.

Is there a charge for this event?

No, it is free to the public.

Can you ride in a balloon?

Paid rides are available and those wanting to ride must schedule a time directly with the balloon pilot. There will be no tethered rides this year.

What if a pilot needs to land?

Residents who have ample space for a balloon to land, if needed, can signal to the pilot by laying out a white sheet in that area. That way the balloon pilots can spot a friendly landing zone from the sky.

Will there be food offered at the different sites?

No, but there is opportunity to get food from various vendors at the Up in Smoke barbecue competition going on downtown.

Lincoln Masonic Lodge #210, 2022 N. Kickapoo St., is hosting a hearty breakfast from 7-10 a.m. made with biscuits and sausage gravy, sausage patties and scrambled eggs. They will be serving dine in or drive-up style. Guests can stay in their vehicle and get breakfast to take home or on the road. Cost is $10 for adults and $4 for kids 12 and under. Proceeds will go to Masonic charities to help local projects.

The Oasis Senior Center, 2810 Woodlawn Rd., will have food from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu includes: Bratwurst for $4, Hot Dogs for $3, Corn on the Cob for $2, Chips for $1,Cookies for $2, drinks for $1 and popcorn for $1. Dine in or drive-thru is available.

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What else is happening while the balloons are in town?

There is a barbecue competition in downtown Lincoln featuring amateurs competing for cash prize of $5,000.

Where can you get something to eat?

Downtown eateries are:

• Mama’s Arcade, 513 Pulaski St., Friday 5 – 8 p.m.

• Alley-Bi Saloon, 415 Pulaski St.,Friday starting at 5:30 p.m.

• Guest House Coffee and Pastries, 113 S. Kickapoo St.,  Friday 5 – 7:30 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 5 – 7:30 p.m.

• Guzzardo’s, 509 Pulaski St., Friday 4:30 – 9 p.m. Saturday 4:30 – 10 p.m.

• Sorrento’s, 614 Broadway St., Open 4 – 10 p.m.

• Rio Grande, 116 N. Kickapoo St., Open 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

• Joe’s Pizzeria, 409 Pulaski St., Open 4 p.m. – midnight

• Blue Dog Inn, 111 S. Sangamon St., Friday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• Idle Hour, 404 Broadway St., Open 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

• Flossie’s, 600 Broadway St., Saturday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Deep Roots, 127 S. Kickapoo St., Friday 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

• Sir Renna Tea, 111 N. Kickapoo St., Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Food truck vendors include: Nuthatch Hill BBQ Company, Pauly’s BBQ, Cullers Frech Fries, Lincoln Land Catering- Pat’s Famous Walleye, Cheezed Out, Traveling Top Hat and Treats and Shaved Ice Shack.

Will there be music and where can you get something to drink?

On Friday the downtown stage at the corner of Pulaski and Kickapoo St. Big Suns will play from 7 to 11 p.m.

On Saturday the downtown stage will have Thornhill Duo from 3 to 6 p.m. and Stereo Typical will play from 8 to 11 p.m.

Alcohol vending will be done from Spirited Republic, Alley-Bi Saloon and The Rusty Rail Pub with marked areas to listen to the live music.

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Will there be an art show?

The Lincoln Arts Institute will host the Lincoln Art Fair on Friday and Saturday, August 26-27.  The event will be Friday 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in downtown Lincoln. The fair will feature a variety of fine artwork and original handcrafts.

What else will be going on in the area?

Next to the art fair will be Dock Dogs, on McLean St., between Broadway and Pulaski St., a crowd favorite featuring dogs who are competing in events like the long jump, the high jump and speed. The event starts with registration at noon with jumps starting at 1 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Lincoln Public Library District, 725 Pekin St., is hosting their annual buck-a-bag book fair running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. Lincoln IGA will be providing paper bags and patrons are welcome to bring their own bags to fill. Used books and DVD’s will be available for $1 per bag. The sale is in the basement of the Carnegie building.

A craft and vendor fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Oasis Senior Center.

This article originally appeared on Lincoln Courier: Balloons Over Route 66