The 2019 Ascension Hot Air Balloon Festival returns to Gonzales at the end of September with three days of balloons, bands, boucherie and so much more! Gather up your family and head down to Lamar Dixon Expo Center Sept. 27-29 for fun in the heart of Ascension Parish.
The Basics
The Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center once again on Sept. 27-29. You can get into the festival on Friday 4:30 PM – 11:00 PM, Saturday 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM and Sunday 11:00AM – 6:00PM.
Admission is $5.00 for adults, free for children 8 and under. Please, cash only! ATMs will be available on site.
NO pets, ice chests, tents, outside food or beverage, weapons or illegal substances are permitted on the festival grounds. Bags, backpacks, wagons and strollers may be subject to security checks for your safety. You may bring folding lawn chairs.
Can I ride in a Hot Air Balloon?
Yes! Kind of. The festival offers tethered hot air balloon rides. It is $20.00 per adult, $15.00 per child 8 and under to ride.
According to the website, here’s how it works:
During a tether ride, passengers climb aboard the aircraft for a short ride. The balloon is securely anchored to the ground via a series of high-tensile strength ropes and carabiners. Then, the hot air balloon ascends to a height of 50′ or less. Rides generally last about 5 minutes, including the on-boarding, ascent, decent and off-boarding.
What is the Balloon Glow?
One of the highlights of the festival is this glowing hour towards the end of the festival. At 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, all of the hot air balloon pilots will inflate their balloons and light the fire underneath. The result is picturesque and definitely something you don’t want to miss.
Related content: Get out of the sun with Gonzales’s new aerial rope course
Will there be Live Music?
You bet! Break out your dancing shoes and boogie down to the rockin’ sounds of Mike Broussard Band, Michael Brandt, After 8, Ryan Foret and the Foret Tradition, Sofa Kings, Orphan Annie, Jordan Babin and so much more entertainment. You can even expect a meet and greet with Marvel characters.
Should I come hungry?
Oh yes, there will be food! You can expect about nine food vendors throughout the weekend. Plus, you’ll be able to see and taste pig-roasting, cracklin’ cook-offs and more at the 2019 Boucherie Festival.
Keep your eyes open and stomachs hungry for:
- Raising Cane’s
- Tintin’s
- BRQ
- Big Cheezy
- Lamar-Dixon Concessions
- Kona Ice
- Jones Concessions
- McKinney Food Services
- Boomin’ Cajun Food Truck
Related content: The Big Cheezy in The Big Easy
Is there anything else to do?
The three day weekend also sports a three day carnival. From open to closing each day, the festival offers carnival rides of about 16 classic fun machines. Bumper cars, merry-go-round and tilt-a-whirl are just a few of rides you can enjoy with the family.
If you plan to ride, come prepared to purchase your tickets or bracelets at the festival.
Tickets
$1 per ticket (multiple tickets per ride)
Bracelet
Friday: $25 All-Day Bracelet
Saturday: $30 All-Day Bracelet
Sunday: $25 All-Day Bracelet
Friday, September 27, 2019
| 4:30PM | Festival Gates Open |
| 4:30PM-11:00PM | Children’s Village: Face Painting, Crafts, Mini Ferris Wheel, Party Train and Mini Airplane Rides ($3.00 single ride tickets; $20 ride Bracelets) |
| 4:30PM-11:00PM | Tethered balloon rides (WEATHER PERMITTING – $20.00 per adult 9 – UP, $15.00 per child 8- under) |
| 5:00PM-6:30PM | Powered Parachute Flight – (WEATHER PERMITTING) |
| 5:00PM-6:30PM | Live Music – Ryan Foret and the Foret Tradition |
| 5:30PM-6:00PM | Magic performance by Tim Gaines the Magician |
| 6:30PM-7:30PM | Special Shape Balloon Inflation – (WEATHER PERMITTING) |
| 7:00PM-7:30PM | Magic performance by Tim Gaines the Magician |
| 7:00PM-8:30PM | Hot Air Balloon Glow (WEATHER PERMITTING) |
| 8:30PM-10:30PM | Live Music – Mike Broussard Band |
| 10:00PM-11:00PM | Fireworks |
| 11:00PM | Festival Closed |
Saturday, September 28, 2019
| 11:00AM | Festival Gates Open |
| 11:00AM-11:00PM | Children’s Village Face Painting, Crafts, Mini Ferris Wheel, Party Train and Mini Airplane Rides ($3.00 single ride tickets; $20 ride Bracelets) |
| 12:00PM-6:00PM | Marvel Characters Meet and Greet |
| 1:00PM-1:30PM | Magic performance by Tim Gaines the Magician |
| 1:30PM-3:00PM | Live Music – Fly by Night Trent Bourgeois |
| 2:30PM-3:00PM | Magic performance by Tim Gaines the Magician |
| 3:30PM-5:00PM | Live Music – Sofa Kings |
| 4:00PM-5:30PM | Magic performance by Tim Gaines the Magician |
| 4:30PM-11:00PM | Tethered balloon rides (WEATHER PERMITTING) |
| 5:00PM-6:30PM | Powered Parachute Flight – (WEATHER PERMITTING) |
| 5:30PM-7:00PM | Live Music – Orphan Annie |
| 5:30PM-6:00PM | Magic performance by Tim Gaines the Magician |
| 6:30PM-7:30PM | Special Shape Balloon Inflation – (WEATHER PERMITTING) |
| 7:00PM-8:30PM | Hot Air Balloon Glow (WEATHER PERMITTING) |
| 8:30PM-10:00PM | Live Music – Michael Brandt |
| 10:00PM | Fireworks |
| 11:00PM | Festival Closed |
Sunday, September 29, 2019
| 11:00AM | Festival Gates Open |
| 11:00AM-11:00PM | Children’s Village Face Painting, Crafts, Mini Ferris Wheel, Party Train and Mini Airplane Rides ($3.00 single ride tickets; $20 ride Bracelets) |
| 12:00PM-6:00PM | Marvel Characters Meet and Greet |
| 1:00PM-1:30PM | Magic performance by Tim Gaines the Magician |
| 1:00PM-2:00PM | Live Music – Jordan Babin |
| 3:30PM-4:00PM | Magic performance by Tim Gaines the Magician |
| 3:30PM-6:00PM | Live Music – After 8 |
| 6:00PM | Festival Closed |
For more information on the Ascension Hot Air Balloon Festival, CLICK HERE.
