High flying fun for the whole family!  27 years of high flying fun!  Balloonfest promises to be an outing with the entire family in mind.

Feel the excitement and splendor of bold, colorful hot air balloons as they tower over you, then magically rise and soar away! Plus, enjoy lots of other activities: Balloon Glow, Balloon races, stage performances, sport tournaments, displays, exhibits, food and more. Everyone will enjoy the colorful Ashland skies as the hot air balloons fill the air for this memorable weekend.  Delight yourself in the festivities! Each year you attend you will have a new experience to treasure for years to come. Entertainment, music, shows, and an assortment of food vending is all part of the nonstop activities.

Over the past 27 years, even through the unpredictability of the weather, the Ashland Balloonfest has been a memorable weekend for the community of Ashland. There have always been over 20 to 30 balloons participating, with the record being 39 balloons in 2005, depending on pilot schedules and sponsorships available. In the past, there have been many shaped balloons such as a Santa Claus, Red Dragon, the Purple People Eater, a large-sized American flag, a pink monster truck, and even Gordo the Monkey.


Thursday, June 29th to Saturday, July 1st
7:00am-10:00pm
Freer Field
1256 Center St., Ashland
(S.R. 60/Center St. & Morgan Ave)

Click HERE for the full schedule of events.


To watch the Balloon Glow each night at 8:15pm is free. However, if you'd like a more special experience, you may be interested in the Balloon Glow Encounter.

Enjoy this up close experience like no one else. Balloon Glow Encounter offers you and 3 others a chance to enter the launch field 1 hour prior to balloon glow and watch the show inside the launch area (restricted to the public). 1 Ticket includes 1 parking pass, 4 Pepsi products, launch field entry for 4 people (1 hour prior to glow) and 1 official Balloonfest Souvenir. Balloon Glow is weather permitting. No refunds. Ticket purchase will become a tax-deductable donation upon request should weather ground balloons.

You can purchase add-on tickets for entry into launch field only.  Add-on ticket is good for launch field only, no additional parking passes. Pepsi vouchers and souvenirs will be given.
You will need 1 ticket for each person.
A ticket is needed for anyone 1 years of age and older for either ticket type (add-on or the 4 pack).

Family 4-pack Tickets: $50
Add-On Tickets: $12.50

Instructions: Show printed/mobile ticket to parking attendant (keep the ticket). Take printed/mobile ticket to Balloon Glow Encounter table near the information tent to receive: coupon for 4 drinks, 1 Official Balloonfest souvenir, and hand stamps for entry for 4 into launch field to watch the balloon glow. You are welcome to bring chairs, blankets, etc.

Click HERE to purchase tickets for the Balloon Glow Encounter.




Photo Credit: Facebook Event Page

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GET LOCKED UP as Beards of the Old Northwest - Beard & Mustache Club brings you a facial hair competition you'll have to SEE to believe -- at the world-famous Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio!  Also don't miss the Beards Behind Bars Welcome Party!

Walk the same halls as history's most infamous prisoners. Immerse yourself into the foundation that formed "The Shawshank Redemption". Hunt for the paranormal on the reformatory grounds.

Proceeds will go to benefit The Ohio State Reformation Society to help with restoration efforts on this historical landmark.

Saturday, July 1st

TICKETS

General Admission tickets for the event are $20.00.

General Admission tickets + a tour of the Ohio State Reformatory (a $12 value) on Saturday 7/1/17 are only $25.00! Self-guided tours start on Saturday, July 1st at 11 am and conclude at 4 pm, an hour before our event begins.

Doors open at 3 pm, the competition starts at 5 pm!

To purchase tickets online, please click HERE.

Tickets will also be available the day of the event when doors open at 3 pm!

(For General Admission + Tour tickets, please have email confirmation printed or available on your phone for Reformatory staff to check you in when you show up for your tour.)

For more information on the competition portion of this event, please visit the Beards Behind Bars Facebook Page!

Beards Behind Bars Welcome Party
Friday, June 30th 7:00pm-1am
Goodfellows Pizzeria & Pub
1349 Park Ave W, Mansfield, Ohio

“Welcome to Shawshank—“, er, we mean, Mansfield, Ohio! Whether you’re driving in from near or far, we welcome you into town by kicking the weekend off at one of Richland County’s premiere sports bars, Goodfellows Pizzeria & Pub!

We’re taking over Goodfellows’ back patio and bar with:
• $1.75 PBR CAN SPECIALS!
• Craft beers on tap!
• Hog Roast (only $5 per plate!)
• KARAOKE!
• SAND VOLLEYBALL!
• BEER PONG!!!!

Goodfellows will also provide a free shuttle to and from our host hotel, the Holiday Inn in Downtown Mansfield, and the bar all night with their 30-person bus “BIG WOODY”. All we ask is that you tip the driver well!

Make sure you’re in town early! You won’t want to miss out on this Welcome Party!

Free summer park concert featuring the best in local professional musicians. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy an evening of music. There is close access to the performance site, clean well maintained restrooms, and lots of free parking. Bring your own refreshments or take advantage of on site dining at select locations. See www.afmlocal159.org or www.facebook.com/afmlocal159/ for additional details and schedules for other locations. The Music in the Park Concert Series is produced by American Federation of Musicians Local 159 of Mansfield.