(June 8, 2023) -- The first ever Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival will take flight June 16-18 with many events on tap for the unique event.

The Festival kicks off on Friday, June 16, as 10 hot air balloons will fly into the Sikeston Rodeo Grounds.

The Festival opens at 4 p.m. with the popular tethered balloon rides running from 5:45-9:30 p.m. The balloons will ascend between 35-50 feet and there is no age or weight limit. The cost for the balloon rides is $15.

There will be a Balloon Flight at 7 p.m. followed by a Balloon Glow at 8:30 p.m., where the balloons will be set up at sunset in the launch area and inflated as if they were going to take off but are tethered to the ground. This creates an amazing scene for those in attendance to walk around and admire.

At 6 a.m. Saturday morning there will be a balloon flight over Sikeston with the Festival opening at noon.

Once again on Saturday there will be tethered balloon rides from 5:45-9:30 p.m. with a Balloon Flight at 7 p.m. and Balloon Glow at 8:30 p.m.

Plenty of activities will be going on at the Festival with face paintings and inflatables for children from 4-7 p.m. Friday and noon-7 p.m. Saturday.

There will also be live music with Double Take performing from 5-7 p.m. Friday night, Southern Draw performing from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, followed by GenX taking the stage from 9:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday.

The event will end with the balloons flying out of Sikeston at 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

No outside food or drink is allowed but there will be many food and craft vendors at the Festival as well as a wine and beer garden.

The cost is $10 per vehicle for a weekend pass and those attending are reminded the event is cash only. Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and sunscreen. Tents, pets, and glass bottles are not allowed.