Abilene Gets Ready for Annual Big Country Balloon Fest
-->By: Natalie Ferrari
Updated: September 18, 2012
It's one of the most unique festivals known across the Big Country, so popular that this year will mark the Balloon Festival's 18th year in Abilene.
"This is our fundraiser as an Optimist Club," says Robin Hicks, coordinator for the Balloon Fest. "We've kept it the Balloon Fest because that is one way we give back to Abilene, to have a family-friendly event for everybody to be able to come out to and to have something different."
Each year, the Balloon Fest brings all types of food and festival vendors into the event, as well as plenty of live music.
"It is an absolutely awesome feeling to have this tradition going on. We've done it for so long that we know exactly what we have to do and when to be able to have the event come together. Abilene is very giving with their volunteers and their time."
The festival is hosted each year by the Optimist Club Unlimited of Abilene and proceeds benefit a number of programs, which include helping young seniors all across the area through scholarships. And of course, pump a great deal of new money directly into the Abilene community.
"It is a pool for outsiders to come in to Abilene to go to the Balloon Fest so that brings outside money in, but also it gives us something locally here to do without having to travel somewhere."
The weekend also promises to be quite a memorable experience for the entire 3-day event.
This year, the Big Country Balloon Fest will kick off on September 28th and last through the 30th at Red Bud Park, all free of charge. There will also be shuttle service available from the Mall of Abilene parking lot to help alleviate traffic around the park.
