Metamora Country Days and Hot Air Balloon Festival
August 23-24, 2019
August 23-24, 2019
To help alleviate traffic congestion we are offering FREE off site parking and a shuttle service
ONCE ALL PARKING SPOTS ARE FULL, THERE WILL BE NO PARKING ALLOWED IN THE VILLAGE .
There will be a shuttle service to and from the Village of Metamora and FREE parking
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm Friday and 10:00 am – 10:00 pm on Saturday.
Parking will be at Lapeer High School 933 S Saginaw St, Lapeer (left below)
and Hunters Creek Community Church 2471 Metamora Rd, Lapeer (right below)
ONCE ALL PARKING SPOTS ARE FULL, THERE WILL BE NO PARKING ALLOWED IN THE VILLAGE .
There will be a shuttle service to and from the Village of Metamora and FREE parking
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm Friday and 10:00 am – 10:00 pm on Saturday.
Parking will be at Lapeer High School 933 S Saginaw St, Lapeer (left below)
and Hunters Creek Community Church 2471 Metamora Rd, Lapeer (right below)
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Our premier event continues to be Metamora Country Days and Hot Air Balloon Festival. This popular family-friendly celebration draws thousands of visitors to our community during the second to the last weekend of every August. Revelers enjoy local food, music, art, a parade, crafts and activities as well as the launching over 20 hot air balloons on both Friday and Saturday nights, capped off with an extraordinary fireworks display on Saturday night.
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Click HERE
to download a schedule of events and be sure to look at the Frequently Asked Questions below! |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I arrange for a ride in a hot air balloon?
Balloon rides are not offered through the Metamora Chamber of Commerce. The pilots typically book the rides well in advance.
When do the balloons take off?
The pilots and crew begin to arrive on the launch field around 5:00 pm. Then they arrange their baskets and chase vehicles on the field based on the predicted wind direction. At 6:15, a pilots meeting is called to hear the weather briefing and learn of the current and forecasted winds, speeds and directions. The pilots then discuss whether or not they feel the conditions are safe for a flight. If it’s a GO, everything happens very quickly.
Are people allowed to get close to the balloons and look at them?
YES this is what makes The Metamora Balloon Festival unique! The preparations are fun to watch. So, bring a picnic and enjoy watching the preparations. The preparations make for some great pictures and the pilots can answer your questions during this time. We do ask that you keep children close to you in order to make sure that the envelopes (that’s what the balloons are called) are not walked on and so that the children do not become trapped under the envelopes. While on the balloon field, please follow instructions from the pilots and event staff AT ALL TIMES! There are no bikes or scooters and no motorized vehicles allowed on the field and ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING!
What is a Hare and Hound Race?
Every year, the participating balloon pilots compete in the Hare and Hound Race. The Hare and Hound Race begins by a pilot inflating his/her balloon (the Hare Balloon). The Hare flies out of the launch field, flies for 15 to 20 minutes, lands and places a large X on the ground. Upon a given signal, the remaining pilots (the Hound Balloons) inflate their colorful balloons, take off, fly toward the Hare Balloon and drop their numbered bean bags as close to the large X as possible. Cash prize money and bragging right awaits the first, second and third place pilots closest to the X. There are slightly different wind directions at different elevations. The skilled pilot maneuvers between these elevations to steer his/her balloon to the large X and the prize. On August 24th and 25th, we will see a mass exodus of balloons from the launch field knowing the pilots are jockeying for position to reach the coveted X and secure the win.
Is there a fee for any events?
All events sponsored by the Metamora Chamber of Commerce are free. Some activities on the Lions field require a fee.
Is there food?
There are various food options in town and on the balloon field.
Where can I find up to date information about the event?
Stay informed by liking the “Metamora Country Days & Hot Air Balloon Festival” Facebook page.
How do I arrange for a ride in a hot air balloon?
Balloon rides are not offered through the Metamora Chamber of Commerce. The pilots typically book the rides well in advance.
When do the balloons take off?
The pilots and crew begin to arrive on the launch field around 5:00 pm. Then they arrange their baskets and chase vehicles on the field based on the predicted wind direction. At 6:15, a pilots meeting is called to hear the weather briefing and learn of the current and forecasted winds, speeds and directions. The pilots then discuss whether or not they feel the conditions are safe for a flight. If it’s a GO, everything happens very quickly.
Are people allowed to get close to the balloons and look at them?
YES this is what makes The Metamora Balloon Festival unique! The preparations are fun to watch. So, bring a picnic and enjoy watching the preparations. The preparations make for some great pictures and the pilots can answer your questions during this time. We do ask that you keep children close to you in order to make sure that the envelopes (that’s what the balloons are called) are not walked on and so that the children do not become trapped under the envelopes. While on the balloon field, please follow instructions from the pilots and event staff AT ALL TIMES! There are no bikes or scooters and no motorized vehicles allowed on the field and ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING!
What is a Hare and Hound Race?
Every year, the participating balloon pilots compete in the Hare and Hound Race. The Hare and Hound Race begins by a pilot inflating his/her balloon (the Hare Balloon). The Hare flies out of the launch field, flies for 15 to 20 minutes, lands and places a large X on the ground. Upon a given signal, the remaining pilots (the Hound Balloons) inflate their colorful balloons, take off, fly toward the Hare Balloon and drop their numbered bean bags as close to the large X as possible. Cash prize money and bragging right awaits the first, second and third place pilots closest to the X. There are slightly different wind directions at different elevations. The skilled pilot maneuvers between these elevations to steer his/her balloon to the large X and the prize. On August 24th and 25th, we will see a mass exodus of balloons from the launch field knowing the pilots are jockeying for position to reach the coveted X and secure the win.
Is there a fee for any events?
All events sponsored by the Metamora Chamber of Commerce are free. Some activities on the Lions field require a fee.
Is there food?
There are various food options in town and on the balloon field.
Where can I find up to date information about the event?
Stay informed by liking the “Metamora Country Days & Hot Air Balloon Festival” Facebook page.