YOU CA
N RIDE IN A HOT AIR BALLOON!
Few things rival the serenity and beauty of hot air balloons, and we have them as a feature of our 2022 Upper Cumberland Air Fair! On Friday night, you can see a spectacular sight as the balloons light up the sky in gorgeous color with in a Night Glow presentation brought to you by Better Cookeville, and you can get a tethered ride or even a full-experience flight in one of these awesome balloons!
PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE EARLY ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AS WE EXPECT RIDES TO SELL OUT QUICKLY. The balloons will NOT operate if unsafe wind or weather is present, so please plan accordingly. This is a very weather-dependent activity, and no guarantees are made or implied as to ride availability or times.
BALLOON TETHER RIDES will be only sold onsite Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as long as as wind and weather allow. Rides are $25 per person. Event admission is additional and required!
BALLOON FULL-EXPERIENCE FLIGHTS are sold only online in advance, and are very limited availability. Flights are $500 for single, $900 for couples. The ride will be up to an hour long, times will be arranged in advance via phone or email, and transportation will be available back to the Air Fair from your landing site. Event weekend admission is INCLUDED, and these full-flight tickets ARE REFUNDABLE if weather cancels the flight..
You can buy event and Full-experience Balloon Flights tickets online by CLICKING HERE
Please note: Weight restrictions will apply to all aircraft flights and rides.
Here’s our scheduled balloon lineup (subject to weather):
Friday, Oct 14
1:00 – Gates Open, Balloon Rides will run as weather allows (times are NOT guaranteed, we will operate as wind and weather permit)
1-6 – Food Trucks, Static Displays, Airplane Rides, Helicopter rides, Vendors, Kids activities
1-5 – Military and Warbird Arrivals
4:00 – Airshow
6:30 – Balloon Glow (tethers will continue into the evening as weather allows)
6:30 – Night 5k on the Runway
Saturday, Oct 15
8AM – Gates Open
8AM – 5PM – Balloon Tethers and Full Flights (times are NOT guaranteed, we will operate as wind and weather permit)
8AM – 6PM – Food Trucks, Static Displays, Car Show, Airplane Rides, Helicopter rides, Vendors, Kids activities
1PM – Airshow
5:00 – Show Closes
Sunday, Oct 16
8AM – Gates Open
8AM – 5PM – Balloon Tethers and Full Flights (times are NOT guaranteed, we will operate as wind and weather permit)
8AM – 6PM – Food Trucks, Static Displays, Car Show, Airplane Rides, Helicopter rides, Vendors, Kids activities
1PM – Airshow
5:00 – Show Closes
Balloon Glow on Friday brought to you by:
Can I buy tickets jets the day of balloon ride if I can’t make it to both day of events I just wanna come by Saturday morning morning and pay to get in and ride a hot air balloon
Sure – it’s probably best to buy your event ticket online, then come as early as possible to buy and get your balloon tether ride. They will be very popular, and can only fly as long as the wind is calm. We’ll keep them going as long as we can but as the day warms, the chances of wind increase.
You definitely can! And I definitely would do it! We did the Remax balloon today. So worth it!!
Hi. I have a friend that wants to come with, but is concerned with weight restrictions for the balloon ride. Can you give me info on this?
It will be up to the balloon operator, I do know they have weight restrictions. They try to send up 4-5 people in each lift, so if your friend is heavy it may affect how they can load the gondola. There is a whole lot to see and do at the event, though, not just balloons! Insider tip: McDonald’s is about to start a $5 off per ticket promotion next week – go by any area Sparta or Cookeville McDonald’s to get the code! 😉
How many can ride in 1 balloon
It depends on the weight of the individuals. Usually 4-5
How long do the rides normally last? Time wise
About 5-6 minutes.
Following I was wondering this also how long will you be up I. The air ? I plan on coming it’s on my bucket list and this will be my 48th bday ! Oct 23!!!
About 5-6 minutes.
Hi. So the balloon ride tickets will start at 7am on Saturday? What happens if we but tickets and it starts raining or th wind gets bad? Will we be refunded?
The event itself is rain or shine, and the gate opens at 8AM on Saturday. The balloons will be dependent on weather, so no ride tix will be sold until the day of. If we sell you a ride ticket, you’ll be in line to go shortly after.
Can someone in a wheelchair take a hot air balloon ride
Good question, we’ll poll our pilots and ask.
There is no mention of how $$$$ the Admission price for tickets is???
$25, kids 12 and under are free. Parking is free. In the body of the text on this page it says “BALLOON RIDES will be sold onsite Saturday morning only. Rides are $20 per adult, $15 for kids 12-under. Subject to weather. Event admission is additional and required, buy one ticket, good for both days! You can buy event tickets online by CLICKING HERE”. There is a big red button that says BUY TICKETS on the Air Fair Page of the website. Either will take to to this page: https://www.eventsprout.com/event/upper-cumberland-air-fair. Click where it says BUY TICKETS and all the options will be there for you.
When do you have to buy the ticket for Oct 22 Friday air balloon ride.
Rides will only be sold on Saturday, October 23. First come, first serve, sold onsite only.
My wife gets around with her wheelchair. Is the show wheelchair friendly. Can I push her around the event in it?
Absolutely – lots of pavement, easy access!
Are airplane rides available too?
Yes, link here: https://www.ucregionalairport.com/2021/10/aircraft-rides-available-at-upper-cumberland-air-fair/
I have family not interested in the 5K but would like to walk around the balloons at night. Is that a part of the evening on Friday? Is that what the Balloon glow is at 6:30?
Your regular entry fee will allow you to walk near the balloons on Friday night. No need to buy the 5k ticket.
So the $60 bundle deal, when it says “4 event tickets per aircraft” does that mean 4 people’s admission tickets?
That is correct!
I would like to know how many people can fit in the balloons at once? I have a family of 5. Including our kids but also can my 8 month old get in the balloon with me too?
It will be up to the balloon pilot, depending on the overall weight.
To be clear, that bundle is for people who fly their own aircraft in to the event and park it on the field. It has nothing to do with balloon rides.
How high are the balloons going up? Are they tethered off to the ground?
About 20-30 feet
Where is the airport in cookville? The address please. Thank you
Our event is at the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport 750 Airport Rd, Sparta, TN 38583
How high do the balloons go for the 5 to 6 minute ride
30-40 feet.
What is the cost for the airplane rides and the times for that
They will vary by aircraft, but plan on a range from $60 – $100 depending on the type. The Flagship Detroit is $100 per person.
So, you have to pay to get in, pay to park, pay for rides?
There is an admission fee that allows you to come and go for two days. There is no charge for car parking. Each aircraft operator charges a different for their own rides depending on the type of aircraft.
How long will the balloons be lit up on Friday night?
Around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Do we need to bring chairs?
It’s a good idea!
Are the balloons tethered for the Hot Air Balloon glow on Friday night.
Yes, they will be tethered.
Do the balloons really only get about 40 feet off the ground? That’s not even enough to say you experienced the feeling of it really if so? Warbird would be so fun though! I’ll just have to watch 😀