Schedule, tickets, parking, balloon launches: What to know about the 2023 Spiedie Fest
UPDATE: Friday's outdoor Spiedie Fest activities have been canceled. Kurt Angle meet and greet and John Waite and Tommy DeCarlo concerts have been moved indoors at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in downtown Binghamton.
People throughout Broome County will flock to Otsiningo Park this weekend to take in all the 2023 Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally has to offer.
The festival will kick off Friday afternoon and continue through Sunday evening. Craft vendors, food, games, music and activities will fill the park and hot air balloons will be launched daily for all of Broome County to view.
Heading to the 2023 Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally? Here's everything you need to know about this year's festival.
When does it start?
Gates open Friday at 3 p.m. then at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Hot air balloons launch at 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The festival closes at 9 p.m. Friday and 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
How much are tickets?
A one-day pass for Spiedie Fest is $10; children 8 and under free.
Other tickets, including passes that include the weekend's concerts, are available for purchase at all Broome County Mirabito stores or online through Ticketmaster. If you want to attend one of the weekend's concerts, you can purchase a concert and one-day festival pass for $20.
A two-person weekend pass, including all three days of the festival and concerts, is $60, and can be purchased online through Ticketmaster or at a local Mirabito store.
Where to park
Parking inside Otsiningo Park is available to those who purchase a two-person weekend pass.
All other parking is available at nearby SUNY Broome on Upper Front Street. Free shuttles over to the park will be provided. Parking is $10 per vehicle.
Who's performing
English rock artist John Waite and Tommy DeCarlo of Boston, American Idol winner and country artist Scotty McCreery and multi-platinum recording artist Gavin DeGraw are performing Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
John Waite will be opening for Tommy DeCarlo beginning at 6 p.m. Friday inside the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena.
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On Saturday, Arbor North, 2 Dollar Pistol and Cooper Greer take the stage beginning around 3 p.m., followed by Scotty McCreery at 5 p.m.
The Gavin DeGraw concert will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday after Allie Torto takes the stage at 4 p.m. followed by Sydney Irving & the Mojo. The Little Mermen Band, a Disney tribute band, will play at 1 p.m.
What else is there to do?
Events include the antique, classic, cool car and truck show, which will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, volleyball tournaments on Saturday and Sunday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and the Kelly LaBare 5K Run/Walk beginning Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
The 2023 Spiedie Cooking Contest will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
There will also be a meet and greet with WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle on Friday from 3-6 p.m. inside the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena and Xcite Wrestling will hold two full pro wrestling shows over the weekend.
When do the balloons launch?
Hot air balloons launch from Otsiningo Park each evening of the festival at 6 p.m.
Friday at 8:30 p.m. check out the hot air balloon night glow, as vibrant multi-colored balloons fill with light and glow against the evening sky.
Morning launches on Saturday and Sunday are free to watch – no ticket required. Come into the park and watch them take off both days at 7 a.m.
Free tether rides take place between 2-4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
Emily Barnes is the New York State Team Consumer Advocate Reporter for the USA Today Network. Contact ebarnes@gannett.com or on Twitter @byemilybarnes. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Spiedie Fest: Schedule, where to park, how to get tickets
