Kissimmee to Start Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival This September

- Michelle Snow

When I was growing up in Wisconsin, there was an annual festival that included hot air balloons blanketing the sky over the course of a weekend. Albequerque, New Mexico, also has their own balloon fest, as do several other cities.

Well, this year we’ll be able to add Kissimmee to that list as they are starting an event they are calling the Festival of Festivals.

They have picked the weekend of Septeber 21-23, 2012, to hold the festival. This three-day event will be highlighted by foot races, hot air balloons, music, arts, food and more. The event will take place at Formosa Gardens, which is located west of I-4, between Walt Disney World and the intersection of U.S. 192 and U.S. 27.

The event will kick off that Friday with evening 5k and 10k runs.

Saturday, in the early a.m., the hot air balloons will take to the sky, and there will be spots available to ride in one, with advance purchase. There will also be tethered and untethered rides available for purchase all weekend.

On the main festival grounds, an array of activities will be held each day, including concerts, contests, games and arts and crafts vendors. There will also be food and drink available for purchase.

The event is being sponsored by a number of Osceola County-based businesses and organizations, including the Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce, Formosa Gardens Village and Orlando Balloon Rides.

For more information about the Festival of Festivals, visit kissimmeefestival.com.

About Michelle Snow

Michelle is the owner and editor of CitySurfing Orlando. She also owns Zengrrl.com, is a freelance writer specializing in travel and entertainment, and has authored/co-authored four guidebooks on Orlando and Florida. She lives in Orlando near Disney, and hears Magic Kingdom fireworks every night.
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