Balloons Over Bend 2025

FRIDAY, JULY 25 - SUNDAY, JULY 27

FRIDAY, JULY 25 Balloon launches at sunrise at Jewell Elementary Bend Night Glow Presented by Hixon Mortgage a Celebration at COCC Kids Rock the Races Balloon Blast presented by COPA

SATURDAY, JULY 26 Balloon launches at sunrise at Jewell Elementary Redmond Brewfest & Night Glow

SUNDAY, JULY 27 Balloon launches at sunrise at Jewell Elementary

GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR THE BEND NIGHT GLOW!

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MAGIC OF FLIGHT!

This three-day festival brings the community together for dazzling morning balloon launches, glowing evening displays, live music, delicious food, a bustling marketplace, and family-friendly fun. Don’t miss the Balloon Blast kids race, the high-flying tricks of Leapin’ Louie, or the unforgettable Bend and Redmond Night Glows. It’s a weekend full of wonder, adventure, and memories waiting to take flight!

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BEND NIGHT GLOW

LOCATED AT COCC JULY25 5PM TO 10PM

Bring the whole family down to the Night Glow for an evening of music, food and glow-in-the-dark balloons! Take the kids to the Balloon Blast race for a chance to stack up some points in our Kid’s Rock the Races series. Soak up the summer evening with live music, food trucks and browse our unique vendors at the marketplace. There is something for everyone!

Pack a blanket and spread out as you wait for the sky to darken so the balloons can begin their magical glow.

FULL SCHEDULE

5pm - Gates Open!

5-10pm - Shop the Marketplace 6pm - Balloon Blast Kids Race 6:30pm - Leapin Louie 7:30pm - Live Music 8:30pm - Balloons Rollout Sunset - Balloons Light Up!

Check out everything happening at this year’s event below

Presented by

ENTERTAINMENT

Leapin’ Louie

The 75 foot big loop, cracking a whip while spinning a big loop on the 6 foot unicycle, hilarious audience participation, spoken and physical comedy, that’s the Leapin’ Louie show, an original comedy show full of world-class trick roping, whip-cracking, and other stunts.

Leapin’ Louie has performed in 31 countries on seven continents.

BALLOON BLAST KID'S RACE

COCC Friday, July 25

Head down early for one of Central Oregon’s favorites: a kids-only obstacle race course. The Balloon Blast combines obstacles with a colorful course, perfect for kids ages 3-10. The exciting obstacles are appropriate for all types of children with a wide range of skill levels to tackle. We encourage parents and guardians to come and cheer their little athletes on as they enjoy being part of a supportive, healthy and motivational community event!

Registration included with Kid’s Tickets!

Race Start Times:

Ages 3 to 4: 6:00pm Ages 5 to 7: 6:10pm Ages 8 to 10: 6:20pm

That 90's Band

Playing your favorite nostalgic rock hits. That 90’s Band will take you right back there!

PILOTS AND BALLOONS RE/MAX BALLOON Justin Wilkinson CHAIRLIFT ONE Stephanie Hughes

CAVU Darren Kling

ABOUT THE PILOTS

Stephanie Hughes | CHAIRLIFT ONE Stephanie Hughes, from Spokane, WA, started flying balloons when she was 13 years old and she became a private hot air balloon pilot in 2005. She built her balloon, named Chairlift One, which received an airworthiness certificate from the FAA in 2022 as an experimental, amateur-built lighter-than-air aircraft. The FAA also certified Stephanie as the aircraft's repairman. When she is not flying her hot air balloon, Stephanie enjoys skiing, hiking, camping, golfing, and boating in the Pacific Northwest.

Tyler Adams | SPIRIT OF 76 Tyler Adams has always had an interest in aviation, but a fire was lit for his love of hot air balloons after crewing for a balloon for the Prosser Balloon Rally. He went out and crewed as much as possible after that and quickly

RACER 75 Matteo Williams

became a crew chief. After crewing for 10 years, it was time to become a pilot earning his private certificate in 2023 and his commercial certificate a year later. You will find Tyler flying one of two almost identical patriotic balloons: Spirit of 76’ (90,000cuft) and Whiskey Rebellion (69,000cuft) with unique historical flags hanging off the crown line along with an American flag.

Tyler’s family is always part of the adventures of travelling to rallies, crewing, and joining in the flights. His 5-year-old son especially loves getting up in the a ir and of course is the first to say he is the crew chief!

Steve Wilkinson | COSMIC CRISP APPLE Steve Wilkinson has been a full time hot air balloon pilot for over 40 years. He and his son Justin run the family balloon business Fantasy Balloon Flights in Palm Springs, CA. Steve enjoys traveling with the Cosmic Crisp Apple balloon across the US and world.

Justin Wilkinson | RE/MAX Justin Wilkinson is a 2nd generation pilot from Palm Desert, California. He has been flying hot air balloons since the age of 12. He enjoys traveling to hot air balloon events around the world with his wife and 3 amazing children.

SPIRIT OF 76 Tyler Adams

COSMIC CRISP Steve Wilkinson

TINY DANCER Jayson Kimball

MIDLIFE CRISIS Bob Raper

OUT OF THE BLUE Colby Aj Barsketis

ROBERT RAPER | MIDLIFE CRISIS Robert Raper received his commercial pilot’s certificate in 1996 and bought his first balloon in 1995, while learning to fly. Currently he has five balloons and manages his business, High Plains Drifter Hot Air Balloons, LLC (based in Montana). Raper currently lives in North Bend, OR (on the West Coast of Oregon) and usually attends 7-10 events annually, including: Reno, Nevada and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

DARREN KLING – CAVU Darren Kling has nearly 30 years of experience flying balloons around the country as well as

internationally and is the owner/operator of Big Sky Balloon Company based here in Central Oregon. He offers scenic balloon flights over the spectacular landscape of the high desert and also manages a corporate balloon program for RE/MAX International throughout the Pacific Northwest. Darren has been the Balloon Director at Balloons Over Bend for the past 15 years and enjoys helping to bring his balloon friends into town for this great event. He’s logged nearly 3000 hrs of flight time and maintains a perfect safety record.

JAYSON KIMBALL | TINY DANCER My name is Jayson Kimball I’m the second generation Hot Air Balloon Pilot owner of Napa Valley Aloft Balloon Rides.

COLBY AJ BARSKETIS | OUT OF THE BLUE My dad taught me to fly these massive, beautiful contraptions that have no steering wheel. It's meditation, physics lesson, and adventure all at once. There's a lot of wisdom in learning to work with forces you can't control – changing your altitude to catch different wind layers instead of fighting against the direction.

NIGHT GLOW VENDORS MARKETPLACE

Art, unique gifts and more await at our Marketplace! Find a fun gift, meet local favorites or just browse the makers, businesses and creators featured at this event.

REMAX Key Properties Hixon Mortgage Ablis CBD Bliss Roofing US Cellular Neil Kelly Crux Fermentation Project Morsel Maven Sunny Rusty 3D Art LeafGuard

Renewal By Andersen NatP Brightsmithing LeafFilter North LLC COCC Catman Cellars Vera Rose Art SillySnailStitchery BeeZerts Catalyst Life Alliance Shoot the Target Cancer Company

FOOD VENDORS Qualiserve Corndog Company of CO Dippin Dots Adamos Carnival Eats Kona Ice the Pizza Cart Beyond Borders Food Truck

50 years and still kids at heart.

Since 1975, COPA has

been a champion for children’s health across

Central Oregon, and now we’d like to celebrate our anniversary with you!

Bring the family for exhibits, games, and fun.

COPA 50th Celebration event Saturday, July 26th

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Alpenglow Park, Bend

REDMOND BREWFEST & NIGHT GLOW

JULY26 5PM 10PM AT AMERICAN LEGION PARK TO

Hosted by the Redmond Chamber of Commerce Experience one of Central Oregon’s most exciting and vibrant summer traditions! The Redmond Brewfest & Night Glow returns on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at American Legion Park, bringing together great beer, local flavor, and unforgettable entertainment.

Sample craft brews from your favorite local breweries, grab a bite from a variety of delicious food trucks, browse handmade goods from regional vendors, and enjoy live music throughout the day. Event is free entry.

As the sun sets, the magic begins—don’t miss the spectacular Hot Air Balloon Glow that lights up the night sky and caps off the evening with a breathtaking display.

Bring your friends, family, and lawn chairs—it’s going to be a night to remember in the heart of Redmond!

Local brews, food trucks, craft vendors, live music, and a Night Glow balloon show!

July 26 5:00pm-10:00pm American Legion Park