There's something so magical about hot air balloons in Tennessee, don't you think? It takes us straight back to the magic of childhood when anything suspended in the air took on an air of magic when science didn't quite exist in all its rules and requirements and there was a little fantasy that ruled the earth. The Great Smoky Mountain Balloon Festival takes place every summer in Townsend, Tennessee, and it's a great event for folks of all ages. Bring the kids and get ready for a few hours of community fun as the sun sets and the balloons go airborne.
In past years, the Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival has been an expansive community affair, one that fills the fields of Townsend with cheering families and the skies with beautiful, spectacular balloons. This year, the event will be no different with a wonderful display of floating and magical balloons. Most people view this as the best hot air balloon festival in Tennessee, and we would have to agree with that. The only thing better than seeing these floating beauties is doing it with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as the backdrop.
Doesn't that color palette just look dreamy? The balloons in the sky lit by the sunset...it's something you don't see too often - unless you live in Townsend, of course. On a side note, Townsend is a very peaceful place to settle down and live if you are thinking of moving to the mountains.
Professional balloonists light the sky with glowing balloons and tethered rides are offered to visitors. Down below, however, there's a slew of earth-bound activities that are fun for the whole family. Even if you aren't planning on taking off and soaring with the birds, just getting a chance to witness this magical moment as the balloons take off is incredible.
Kids will have a ball taking part in the family-friendly activities, and there will be crafters both displaying and selling their artwork on the communal lawn. So make sure you mark the calendar and gather your whole family for this famous Tennessee hot air balloon festival.
Settle down with a meal from the food truck court or grab a cold one from the beer tent because there's live entertainment too!
Community togetherness is very important here in Tennessee, and at the Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival, you can expect to bond with your neighbor over the simple beauty of the world.
This is a very popular event so we would recommend planning in advance to get your tickets. We have a link for the event's website below. The Great Smoky Mountain Balloon Festival takes place every year in August so make your plans now and don't miss out on this spectacular event.
You can learn more about this grand Hot Air Balloon Festival in Tennessee by visiting the Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival website and the Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival Facebook page.
Townsend is such a lovely place to stay in for a Smoky Mountain retreat and if you are really looking to level up your stay then make sure you take a trip to the Thunderhead Ridge Getaways and book a night in The Mink, which is one of the greatest geometric dome stays in Tennessee.
This isn't the only floating balloon fun to have in Tennessee. If you love this event you are sure to also love the Lakeside Of The Smokies Balloon Fest which usually takes place in October.
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