By Chris Cornwall
The Hendricks County Rib-Fest and Balloon Glow is Saturday, June 24 from 4 – 10 p.m. at Kingsway Christian Church, 7981 E. C.R. 100 N., Avon.
Restaurants will compete for bragging rights and the title of “best ribs” and “best sauce” in Hendricks County. The ribs competition, however, barely scratches the surface of this local tradition. The event will feature live entertainment, games for kids and a fireworks display.
Perhaps the most spectacular feature is the Avon Balloon Glow. Once it gets dark, hot-air balloons will light up the night sky.
Guests will also get the chance to take a tethered balloon ride. It’s similar to a hot-air balloon ride but it remains tied to the ground, allowing the balloon to lift off and “fly” a small group of people without going far.
If you plan to ride: On average, only four to eight people can ride at one time depending on their combined weight – you may not all be able to ride together. Tethered rides can only happen when the winds are around 8mph or less. Rides are $12 and participants must register for one of four time slots on the Avon Chamber of Commerce website. For more information, visit web.avonchamber.org.
For a complete listing of Rib-fest events, please see the schedule provided.
2017 Rib-Fest and Balloon Glow Schedule
4 p.m. | Food Vendors, Kids Games, and Booths Open
4 – 8:30 p.m. | Balloon Activities
4:15 p.m. | Announcements
5:30-6:30 p.m. | Live Music – Kingsway Group – Main Stage
4 – 8 p.m. | Pacers Fan Van
5:40 p.m. | Announcements
7 – 9 p.m. | Tethered Balloon Rides
7:20 p.m. | Announcements – Awards for Best Sauce and Best Ribs
7:30-9:30 p.m. | Live Music – Backroad 39 – Main Stage
7:45 p.m. | Mascot Dash
8 p.m. | Quarter Slab Run & Children’s ¼ Mile Race
8:30 p.m. | Rib Run 5k & Fun Run
8:30 p.m. | Announcements
8:45-9:30 p.m. | Balloon Glow *Times may vary
9:45 p.m. | National Anthem
*Fireworks to music at dark