Balloons Over Bend 2026 Guide

FRIDAY, JULY 24 BALLOON LAUNCHES AT SUNRISE AT JEWELL ELEMENTARY BEND NIGHT GLOW AT COCC ATHLETIC FIELD

SATURDAY, JULY 25 BALLOON LAUNCHES AT SUNRISE AT JEWELL ELEMENTARY REDMOND BREWFEST & NIGHT GLOW AT AMERICAN LEGION PARK

SUNDAY, JULY 26 BALLOON LAUNCHES AT SUNRISE AT JEWELL ELEMENTARY

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YOUR GUIDE TO

JULY 24–26 Central Oregon’s Favorite Hot Air Balloon Festival

ABOUT THE LAUNCH

R.E. JEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FRIDAY, JULY 24 & SATURDAY, JULY 25 AT SUNRISE Get up early and watch the magic happen! Balloons will launch each day throughout the weekend starting just as the sun starts to rise. Don’t miss out on the chance to spot these giant balloons float through the Central Oregon sky. It’s free and fun for the whole family!

Ballooning is an exciting but unpredictable activity that is depends on ideal weather conditions. Launch times will vary! Please keep an eye out on social media pages as we approach the event for the most up-to-date info on balloon launches.

FRIDAY, JULY 24 SCHEDULE

Experience the magic of flight during three days of family fun! Enjoy free sunrise balloon launches all weekend long, then don’t miss Friday’s Night Glow at COCC, featuring live entertainment, the Balloon Blast Kids Race, food trucks, a marketplace, and glowing hot air balloons at sunset. The celebration continues Saturday evening in Redmond with the Redmond Brewfest & Night Glow. Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, there’s something for everyone.

Sunrise – Free Balloon Launch • R.E. Jewell Elementary 5:00–10:00 PM – Bend Night Glow • COCC (Ticketed)

SATURDAY, JULY 25

Sunrise – Free Balloon Launch • R.E. Jewell Elementary 5:00–10:00 PM – Redmond Brewfest & Night Glow • American Legion Park (Free Admission)

SUNDAY, JULY 26

Sunrise – Free Balloon Launch • R.E. Jewell Elementary

BEND NIGHT GLOW ADMISSION

Adults: �15 Kids (3–12): �10 (includes Balloon Blast Kids Race registration) Ages 2 & Under: Free

BEND NIGHT GLOW SCHEDULE

5:00 PM – Gates Open & Marketplace 5:30 PM – FlippenOut Extreme Trampoline Show 6:00 PM – Balloon Blast Kids Race 6:30 PM – FlippenOut Extreme Trampoline Show 7:00 PM – Live Music: Tri-Cities Steel Band Association 8:30 PM – Balloons Roll Out Sunset – Balloons Light Up

Rosehaven Home Loans

BendRadio.com

2026 PILOTS 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.

STEPHANIE HUGHES – WILD GOOSE

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.

BOB 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. For more information visit www.bigskyballoonco.com

PAT IRWIN – BATTLE BORN

Bob has been involved in hot air ballooning since 1981 and earned his pilot’s license in 1996. A retired 911 systems designer and career firefighter from Nevada, he has spent more than 25 years flying throughout the western United States. He enjoys the challenge of balloon competitions, exploring new places, and sharing the joy of ballooning with communities wherever he flies.

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Hosted by the Redmond Chamber of Commerce

AMERICAN LEGION PARK • JULY 25 • 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

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.

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.

Sample craft brews from your favorite local breweries, grab a bite from a variety of delicious food trucks, browse handmade goods from regional

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