26th Annual Great Balloon Race
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A free Hot Air Balloon event in Galesburg IL.
Hot Air balloons, Vendors, Kids Activities
More details to come!
(not for hire during event)
THE GREAT BALLOON RACE 2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Lake Storey Park (soccer fields - just west of baseball fields), Galesburg, IL
Friday, July 24th
3:00 PM until the beginning of the night glow - Food vendors will be set up and selling food by the shelter of the launch field. Kids games and events 5-8PM. Event T-shirts and raffle tickets available for purchase.
6:00 PM - Mass ascension of the balloons, weather permitting.
Dusk - Balloon night glow, weather permitting.
Saturday, July 25th
5:30 AM Pilot briefing on the field at Lake Storey
6:00 AM - Balloon Launch - The balloons will launch from an undetermined location and fly into the launch field at Lake Storey to try and throw a beanbag at the target(s) located there.
3:00 PM until the beginning of the night glow - Food vendors will be set up and selling items from food by the shelter of the launch field.
5-8 Kids activities! Event T-shirts and raffle tickets are available for purchase.
6:00 PM - Mass ascension of the balloons, weather permitting.
After the flight and before the Night Glow - Golf Ball Drop-tethered balloon over launch field with a “X” on the field and golf balls are numbered. Selling Golf Balls for $5.00 each and whatever # gets closest to the center of the X when dropped out of the basket wins the 50/50 raffle. Tickets are for sale on Friday and Saturday.
Dusk - Balloon night glow, weather permitting.
***2026 Sponsors***
💎 Diamond Sponsor
City of Galesburg
🌟 Platinum Sponsors
RE/MAX Preferred Properties
Thrivent
AmeriGas
🥇 Gold Sponsor
Galesburg Community Foundation
🥈 Silver Sponsors
Blick Art Materials
Ladner & Jain Orthodontics
Way Insurance
Go Van Gogh’s
Norris Sound and Lighting
🥉 Bronze Sponsors
Jet Air
Yemm Buick GMC
A-1 Home Solutions
Purlee Farms
🎈 Friends of the Balloon Race
Koppers
Tompkins State Bank
B & B Printing
FM 95
This year’s vendor lineup has something for everyone — fair favorites, local treats, family fun, and plenty of items for the kids.
Returning Favorites:
🍋 Smiley Concessions: Funnel cakes, lemonade shakeups, corn dogs, and more classic favorites.
🍔 Meadows Concessions: Pork chops, ribeye sandwiches, pork burgers, corn dogs, French fries, nachos, lemonade shakeups, haystacks, and onion rings
🍿 C & C Kettle Corn: Fresh kettle corn perfect for walking around and enjoying the event.
🍋 Don Monico’s Concessions: Serving up a variety of concession favorites for everyone to enjoy.
🎈 Doyle’s: spray-on tattoos, Spin to Win game, light-up toys, balloon trinkets, lamps, and other fun balloon-themed items.
🍗 Shawdaddy’s
Serving up quick, delicious, award-winning eats with generous portions. Be sure to stop by and see what they’re cooking up at the Balloon Race!
🔥 Henn House BBQ
Bringing bold BBQ flavor to the Great Balloon Race with smoked meats and classic barbecue favorites. If you love pulled pork, brisket, chicken, ribs, and comfort sides, this is one to check out!
❤️ OSF HealthCare Cooling Tent
We are grateful to OSF HealthCare for providing a cooling tent at this year’s Great Balloon Race. Their support gives our guests a place to take a break, cool off, and enjoy the event safely.
✨ New this year:
🌮 Taquería Jalisco on wheels: Serving Mexican food backed by more than 27 years of experience.
🦌 The Gilded Antler: Smash burgers, nachos, giant pickles, and soda
🌸 Centennial Blooms Flower Farm & Eatery: sandwiches: Pep Pizza, ham & cheese, slushies, and mini donuts
🍧 Big Blue Shaved Ice: cool, refreshing shaved ice
📿 Oh My Beads!: fun beads and kid-friendly items
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE, WEATHER PERMITTING AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!!
Hot Air balloons, Vendors, Kids Activities
More details to come!
(not for hire during event)
THE GREAT BALLOON RACE 2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Lake Storey Park (soccer fields - just west of baseball fields), Galesburg, IL
Friday, July 24th
3:00 PM until the beginning of the night glow - Food vendors will be set up and selling food by the shelter of the launch field. Kids games and events 5-8PM. Event T-shirts and raffle tickets available for purchase.
6:00 PM - Mass ascension of the balloons, weather permitting.
Dusk - Balloon night glow, weather permitting.
Saturday, July 25th
5:30 AM Pilot briefing on the field at Lake Storey
6:00 AM - Balloon Launch - The balloons will launch from an undetermined location and fly into the launch field at Lake Storey to try and throw a beanbag at the target(s) located there.
3:00 PM until the beginning of the night glow - Food vendors will be set up and selling items from food by the shelter of the launch field.
5-8 Kids activities! Event T-shirts and raffle tickets are available for purchase.
6:00 PM - Mass ascension of the balloons, weather permitting.
After the flight and before the Night Glow - Golf Ball Drop-tethered balloon over launch field with a “X” on the field and golf balls are numbered. Selling Golf Balls for $5.00 each and whatever # gets closest to the center of the X when dropped out of the basket wins the 50/50 raffle. Tickets are for sale on Friday and Saturday.
Dusk - Balloon night glow, weather permitting.
***2026 Sponsors***
💎 Diamond Sponsor
City of Galesburg
🌟 Platinum Sponsors
RE/MAX Preferred Properties
Thrivent
AmeriGas
🥇 Gold Sponsor
Galesburg Community Foundation
🥈 Silver Sponsors
Blick Art Materials
Ladner & Jain Orthodontics
Way Insurance
Go Van Gogh’s
Norris Sound and Lighting
🥉 Bronze Sponsors
Jet Air
Yemm Buick GMC
A-1 Home Solutions
Purlee Farms
🎈 Friends of the Balloon Race
Koppers
Tompkins State Bank
B & B Printing
FM 95
This year’s vendor lineup has something for everyone — fair favorites, local treats, family fun, and plenty of items for the kids.
Returning Favorites:
🍋 Smiley Concessions: Funnel cakes, lemonade shakeups, corn dogs, and more classic favorites.
🍔 Meadows Concessions: Pork chops, ribeye sandwiches, pork burgers, corn dogs, French fries, nachos, lemonade shakeups, haystacks, and onion rings
🍿 C & C Kettle Corn: Fresh kettle corn perfect for walking around and enjoying the event.
🍋 Don Monico’s Concessions: Serving up a variety of concession favorites for everyone to enjoy.
🎈 Doyle’s: spray-on tattoos, Spin to Win game, light-up toys, balloon trinkets, lamps, and other fun balloon-themed items.
🍗 Shawdaddy’s
Serving up quick, delicious, award-winning eats with generous portions. Be sure to stop by and see what they’re cooking up at the Balloon Race!
🔥 Henn House BBQ
Bringing bold BBQ flavor to the Great Balloon Race with smoked meats and classic barbecue favorites. If you love pulled pork, brisket, chicken, ribs, and comfort sides, this is one to check out!
❤️ OSF HealthCare Cooling Tent
We are grateful to OSF HealthCare for providing a cooling tent at this year’s Great Balloon Race. Their support gives our guests a place to take a break, cool off, and enjoy the event safely.
✨ New this year:
🌮 Taquería Jalisco on wheels: Serving Mexican food backed by more than 27 years of experience.
🦌 The Gilded Antler: Smash burgers, nachos, giant pickles, and soda
🌸 Centennial Blooms Flower Farm & Eatery: sandwiches: Pep Pizza, ham & cheese, slushies, and mini donuts
🍧 Big Blue Shaved Ice: cool, refreshing shaved ice
📿 Oh My Beads!: fun beads and kid-friendly items
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE, WEATHER PERMITTING AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!!
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Where is it happening?
Lake Storey Park, Galesburg, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherThe Great Balloon Race, Galesburg, IL.
