The 48th annual Great Pershing Balloon Derby is scheduled to take place this weekend, offering a series of activities in and around Brookfield from August 30 through September 2.
The festivities will begin Friday night, August 30, with the South Main Night Flame event on South Main Street at 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, August 31, the event continues with the John Petrehn Memorial Cup Flight, launching at the Myron Peacher Memorial Launch Site at 7:15 a.m. The day’s activities will also include events at East Twin Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the Balloon Derby Parade on Main Street at noon. Gates to the launch site will open at 4 p.m., with a balloon flight scheduled for 6 p.m. Later, at 7:30 p.m., the Basel Downey Memorial Launch Site will host a Nite Lite event.
Sunday, September 1, will feature another balloon flight at 7:15 a.m. Gates will reopen at 4 p.m., followed by another balloon flight at 6 p.m. The day will conclude with a second Nite Lite at the Basel Downey Memorial Launch Site at 7:30 p.m.
The final balloon flight of the derby is scheduled for Monday morning, September 2, at 7:15 a.m.
Visitors can enjoy food and souvenirs at the launch site throughout the weekend. However, balloon rides will not be available for purchase during the event, and drones are prohibited in the restricted air space.
Admission to the launch site costs $3 per person or a maximum of $10 per vehicle. Children aged four years and under are admitted free of charge. Weekend passes are available for $20.
For further information, visit the Great Pershing Balloon Derby Facebook page or the Great Pershing Balloon Derby website.
