RECENT HIGHLIGHTS H E B CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL
BY VALERIE WIGGLESWORTH
About 100,500 people attended the four-day festival in Plano. (Courtesy Ram Silverman)
The festival was held at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve. (Courtesy Ram Silverman)
The Plano Balloon Festival included a 1K walk and run, and a 5K walk and run. (Courtesy Plano Balloon Festival)
Total attendance for the four-day H-E-B/Central Market Plano Balloon Festival was reported to be about 100,500, putting this year’s event in the top ve for turnout in the event’s 41-year history. “It was de nitely the ‘comeback’ we wanted to achieve!” festival organizers said in a statement. Organizers said the festival had to close early Sept. 25, the nal day, due to rain and lightning that posed a safety hazard. “We feel sure it would have been [an attendance record] if we had not canceled early on Sunday afternoon,” the statement said. This year marked the return of the city’s signature event after it was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 3,000 volunteers helped make this year’s event a success at Oak Point Park. The event is put on by the nonpro t Plano Balloon Festival Inc., which provides participating nonpro ts with the opportunity to raise funds and awareness for their own programs. Next year’s Plano Balloon Festival is scheduled to be held Sept. 21-24, 2023, at Oak Point Park. Visit www.planoballoonfest.org to learn more.
The Axel the tiger balloon was piloted by Craig Farrell of Australia. (Courtesy Ram Silverman)
This was the 41st year for the Plano Balloon Festival. (Courtesy Ram Silverman)
The festival included more than 20 hot air balloons. (Courtesy Ram Silverman)
Next year’s balloon festival is scheduled for Sept. 21 24, 2023. (Courtesy Ronnie Blea)
27
PLANO SOUTH EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
Powered by FlippingBook