Thu 9/25-Sun 9/28
There’s something really enchanting about hot air balloons, especially when they’re colorful and lit up. And they’re the centerpiece attraction at the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair. There are many others though, since this is a full four-day fair, taking place at two locations: downtown Ravenna and the Portage County Fairgrounds.
It kicks off in a low key, with a children’s parade stepping off at 6:30pm in downtown Ravenna and a show by Tada Magician from 6:30-7:30pm.
On Friday the gates open at the fairgrounds at 5:30, with band performances, a cornhole tournament, food and drink vendors, helicopter rides, axe throwing, a petting zoo, monster truck rides, face painting and much more. At dusk, the Hot Air Balloon Glow takes place, when attendees can come onto the field with the balloons, weather permitting.
Saturday during the day is the Downtown Festival from 9-5:30pm, starting with a parade at 9, and food, performances, a Children’s Alley (with a petting zoo all day!), a Motor Alley featuring work vehicles among other attractions, and a Rock & Roll Alley. We’re particularly curious about the A Girl with Scales Reptile Show at noon.
Then hurry back to the fairground where doors open at 3pm for a Jeep show at 3 and Car Crush (which we suspect is a cousin to the wildly popular Demolition Derbies) at 4. More music, more food,another cornhole tournament and the Balloon Lift-Off between 5 and 6pm, followed by static displays when you can come back onto the field to see the balloons close-up. And on top of all that: fireworks at 9pm. What a day!
Sunday things wind up at the fairgrounds—gates open at 11—with more food, drink, music, cornhole, axe throwing, helicopter rides etc—and today a car show starting at 3pm. The A Girl with Scales Reptile show also arrives here at 3-4pm, and the Balloon Liftoff again takes place between 5 and 6 pm.
The event takes place rain or shine, although the balloon liftoffs are weather-dependent. Go here for tickets.