The first hot air balloon festival in Illinois was held in 1981 in the village of Lisle. Several years later, the residents of Macomb followed suit and launched their own event. The Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle was discontinued in 2008, but the Macomb Balloon Rally is still held every year, which makes it the longest-running hot air balloon festival in Illinois.
The Macomb Balloon Rally is a family-friendly event that features about two dozen colorful hot air balloons in the skies over Macomb, including special shape balloons. Its program includes several competitive flights that take place Friday night, Saturday morning, and Saturday night, weather permitting. Many people think that balloon races are much more interesting to watch than regular take-offs. If you are one of them, you’ll definitely find the Macomb Balloon Rally an event worth attending.
Another highlight of the festival is the Macomb Balloon Glow. It is held on the last night of the Macomb Balloon Rally. Pilots tie their balloons to the ground and ignite the burners so that the balloons glow like giant Chinese lanterns or light bulbs. Once the balloons are set up, attendees are invited to walk on the field to see the balloons up close and talk to pilots, asking them questions about ballooning.
Alongside balloon-related events, the program of the festival includes live concerts and other entertainment, as well as food and drink vendors. All events at the Macomb Balloon Rally are family-friendly and offer free admission. Each edition of the festival has its own theme, which makes it even more exciting. Unfortunately, the Macomb Balloon Rally doesn’t offer balloon rides, but it’s still a great event for the whole family!
![Macomb Balloon Rally Macomb Balloon Rally](/uploads/festivals/other/macomb-balloon-rally-1.jpg)
Photo: tpondering