EVENT SCHEDULE
Plan your calendar now! All balloon events will be weather-permitting.
Festival booths, food trucks, and entertainment will occur rain or shine.
Friday, May 15
BALLOON FESTIVAL
LAMPE PARK | Gardnerville, NV
5:00 a.m.
Park opens
6:00 a.m.
National Anthem & Flag Balloons Launch
6:15 a.m.
Mass balloon launch.
Passengers on this day will be Media, Veterans and First Responders
FIRE IT UP, CARSON VALLEY!
LAMPE PARK | Gardnerville, NV
6:00 p.m.
Food trucks and vendors open
6:45 p.m.
Balloon pilots start to arrive for public meet and greet
Be sure to visit the Carson Tahoe Health booth to pick up your free, Fire It Up scavenger game keepsake!
7:30 p.m.
Pilots prepare balloon baskets and equipment for one hot display. A balloon envelope will also be inflated to walk through!
(Weather permitting)
Saturday, May 16
BALLOON, MUSIC & VENDOR FESTIVAL
LAMPE PARK | Gardnerville, NV
5:00 a.m.
Park opens
5:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Food Trucks open
5:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Arts, crafts, and goods booths open
6:00 a.m.
National Anthem & Flag Balloons Launch
6:15 a.m.
Mass Balloon Launch
7:30 a.m. - Midmorning (weather permitting)
Tethered Balloon Rides ($10 kids, $20 adults)
7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Music Performers and Stage Entertainment
Sunday, May 17
BALLOON FESTIVAL
LAMPE PARK | Gardnerville, NV
5:00 a.m.
Park opens
5:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Food trucks open
6:00 a.m.
National Anthem & Flag Balloons Launch
6:15 a.m.
Mass Balloon Launch
7:30 a.m. - Midmorning (weather permitting)
Tethered Balloon Rides ($10 kids, $20 adults)
2026 Schedule of Artists & Performers
Friday May 15th
5:45am - 6:00am: National Anthem, performed by Pau-Wa-Lu Choir
Friday May 15th at “Fire It Up!”
6:30pm - 9:30pm - Music by Moxy Ruckus
Saturday May 16th all day festival
5:54am - 6:00am: National Anthem performed by the Carson Valley Middle School Choir
6:30am - 9:00am: DJ Music and Announcements
9:00am - 9:30am: Fitness Dance Performance by Shine Dance Fitness
9:30am - 9:45am: Hot Air Balloon Trivia
9:45am - 10:15am: Performance by Jack Tolbert
10:15am - 11:00am: Aerial Arts Performance by CBP Aerial Arts
11:00am - 11:15am: Hot Air Balloon Trivia
11:15am - 11:45am: Dance Performance by All About Dance
11:45am - 12:00pm: Hot Air Balloon Trivia
12:00pm - 12:30pm: Tae Kwon Do Demonstration by Northwest Martial Arts
12:30pm - 12:45pm: Hot Air Balloon Trivia
12:45pm - 1:15pm: TBD
1:15pm - 2:15pm: Musical Performance by Doug Schwartz
2:15pm - 3:00pm: Hot Air Balloon Trivia
Sunday May 17th
5:45am - 6:00am: National Anthem, performed by Chris Casaceli
Thank you to the Cultural Arts Foundation of Douglas County for coordinating the performers!
Presenting Sponsor
Propane Sponsor
Ascent + Level Sponsor
Ascent Level Sponsor
Summit Level Sponsor
Walk-Through Balloon Sponsor
Ride Provider
Horizon Level Sponsor
Horizon Level Sponsor
Horizon Level Sponsor
Horizon Level Sponsor
Competition Sponsor
Kid's Zone Sponsor
Horizon Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Horizon Level Sponsor
Performer Coordinator
Treetop Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Horizon Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Treetop Level Sponsor
Parade of Lights Support
Ground Level Sponsor