Bask in the glow and enjoy the music at Cherry Blossom Festival’s Tunes and Balloons Family Fun Fest
The Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off its slate of fall events Saturday with Tunes and Balloons Family Fun Fest, an event expected to draw 10,000 people to Middle Georgia State University’s campus.
“This is one of our signature fall events,” said Catherine Harmon, program coordinator for the Cherry Blossom Festival. “We try to give people in Georgia the chance to enjoy festival events all year round.”
By moving the Tunes and Balloons event to the fall, Harmon said organizers are hoping to give people a chance to attend if they haven’t in the past.
“There aren’t as many festival events competing for people’s time this way, and we definitely think this is an event a lot of people would enjoy,” she said.
Tunes and Balloons offers hot air balloon rides, live music, food, souvenirs and fun activities for the entire family.
Balloon tether rides happen from 6:30-8:45 p.m., with pricing for adults and children.
“At 7:45 p.m., people will have a chance to see the Balloon Glow, when all of the balloons light up and fill the sky with colors and warmth,” Harmon said.
For the fourth time, Tunes and Balloons will take place on the Middle Georgia State University campus.
“We are hoping to see a big turnout of Middle Georgia State University’s students and alumni,” Harmon said. “The event will actually be the finale to the university’s Homecoming Week. That’s something different this year. Usually, Tunes and Balloons has been held in the spring, but the decision was made to move it to September after speaking with balloon pilots and other attendees in the past.
“Lining it up with Homecoming just made a lot of sense and we’re hoping that it will be a good move for both the event and the university. Also, they will have their wellness and recreation center open to the public for membership.”
During the event, there will be live music on stage.
“We’ve got local band Rewind, Retry and Laura Starling,” Harmon said. “We’re also very excited to have Middle Georgia State University’s Jazz Band playing. The music starts at 4:30 p.m. and will last until the fireworks at 9 p.m., which will end the event.”
Food will be available for purchase, with a variety of offerings including hamburgers, fajitas and desserts.
“Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic baskets, chairs and blankets,” Harmon said. “We do ask that people not bring pets or glass containers. We’ll also have the Cherry Blossom Festival Souvenir Shop selling festival items. There will be vendors selling glow in the dark items for kids and other kids toys, as well as some of our signature favorite items.”
Other activities for kids include five inflatables. Wrist bands for $10 will let them jump from 4 p.m. until the event closes. There also will be a rock wall ($5 for two climbs) and face painting (individually priced). Alpacas from Yellow Rock Farm will be there for kids -- and adults -- to pet.
Tunes and Balloons Family Fun Fest
When: 4-9 p.m. Sept. 12
Where: Middle Georgia State University, 100 College Station Drive
Cost: $5 per person, free for children 6 and younger
Information: www.cherryblossom.com/fall, 478-330-7050
This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 8:20 PM with the headline "Bask in the glow and enjoy the music at Cherry Blossom Festival’s Tunes and Balloons Family Fun Fest ."