Planes won’t be the only thing in the Panhandle sky this August, as the City of Scottsbluff approved $20,000 in funding for the 2024 Old West Balloon Fest.
Director Colleen Johnson made a presentation to Scottsbluff City Council last month that highlighted the events including morning launches, kids ballooning camp, night glows, and a drone show.
Johnson says the events on Saturday following the sunrise launch have really gained in popularity over the past few years.
“After the balloons take off, they can go to downtown Mitchell and attend the craft fair and we have wiener dog races, cornhole tournament- I mean they are professional cornhole players- so that’s super fun. So we’re committed to marketing the events.”
Perhaps the biggest change this year will be the closing night glow moving from Five Rocks Amphitheater in Gering to the Old Mitchell Airfield south of town SOUNDBITE 1.
“So we just thought that it was better financially for us, not moving tents, not moving the beer garden, not be doing all that stuff if we can just have it in one location. And the City of Gering is also still very supportive.”
2024 will mark the 10th year of the Old West Balloon fest revival, and will run from August 7th to August 10th.
Full details can be found at TheOldWestBalloonFest.com
