Welcome…
We would like to thank you for your interest in the 2012 Poteau Balloon Fest. In February 2011, the Poteau Chamber took over promotion and production of the Annual Balloon Fest. With less than one year to prepare, the Poteau Balloon Fest Council made the decision to change the venue of the event. It was a huge success. We estimate over 20,000 attended in October of 2011 and Poteau saw it's first "traffic jam".
Date, Time & Venue…
The dates for the 2012 Poteau Balloon Fest are October 19th & 20th. Friday, the 19th, the gates will open at 12:00pm to the public and will close at 11:00 pm. Saturday morning, the 20th, they will open at 9:00 am and close at 11:00pm. The 2011 Poteau Balloon Fest will again be held on the LeFlore County Fair Grounds on Highway 271 South.
View The Poteau Balloon Fest in a larger map
Costs...
Balloon Fest
Armbands are $3 in advance per armband. Children 3 and under are free. Chamber offices will close at 3:00pm on October 19th. At the gates, armband admission prices will be $5 per person (3 and under free.) Advance armbands will be available for purchase at the Poteau Chamber of Commerce in person or by calling 918-647-9178 beginning August 1, 2012. We hope to have them available for purchase online as well.
Bikes, Balloons & BBQ
An additional armband of $5 per person is required if you want to participate in the Friday Night Bikes, Balloons & BBQ. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of LeFlore County. $5 armbands include Bike Show, Live Music & All You Can Eat BBQ Plate!
Please note that the Carnival and other ride attractions may charge additional fees. The Poteau Balloon Fest Council does not set these fees.
All events are weather permitting and non-refundable.
Vendor Information
Our 2011 Vendors were very pleased with the location change! We have made some changes to the Vendor Application for 2012. Vendors are accepted on a first paid basis. Click here to download the 2012 Vendor Application. For a list of 2012 Approved Vendors please click here.
EVENTS, SCHEDULE & INFORMATION
Tentative Schedule of Events (Updated as Events are Confirmed)
October 19, 2012, Friday Event Schedule - ALL EVENTS ARE WEATHER PERMITTING
7:30am - "Balloons Over Poteau” MEDIA FLIGHTS ONLY (Balloons will meet and then disperse and take off from different areas within Poteau and the surrounding area.) Please DO NOT park on Highways for the safety of motorists.
12:00pm - 11:00pm: GATES OPEN
12:00pm - Vendor Booths Open
3:30pm - BMX Freestyle Team
4:00pm - 5k Walk/Run Registration
5:00pm - 5k Walk/Run Start
5:00pm - America's Best Frisbee Dogs
6:00pm - BMX Freestyle Team
6:00pm - Bikes, Balloons & BBQ - Arena Gates Open
*More Events to be scheduled and announced
October 20, 2012, Saturday Event Schedule - ALL EVENTS ARE WEATHER PERMITTING
7:30am: "Balloons Over Poteau" SPONSOR FLIGHTS ONLY (Balloons will meet and then disperse and take off from different areas within Poteau and the surrounding area.) Please DO NOT park on Highways for the safety of motorists.
9:00am-12:00am: Gates Open
9:30am - Vendor Booths Open
10:00am-10:00pm: Fun Times Carnival Open
10:00am - Dark: Indian Territory Pistoliers
10:00am - Poker Run Open Registration
10:30am - Americas Best Frisbee Dogs
11:00am - Poker Run - Bikes Leave
11:15am - Magician Jonathan Meyer
12:00pm - BMX Freestyle Team
12:15pm - Pet Costume Contest
12:45pm - Little Ms. / Mr. Balloon Fest Pageant
1:30pm - America's Best Frisbee Dogs
2:00pm - Rumble on the River
2:00pm - Magician Jonathan Meyer
2:30pm - BMX Freestyle Team
4:30pm - BMX Freestyle Team
4:30pm - Poker Run Winners Announced
5:30pm - Magician Jonathan Meyer
6:30pm - America's Best Frisbee Dogs
7:00pm - BMX Freestyle Team
7:30pm - Balloon Glows
*More Events to be scheduled and announced
ALL EVENTS WEATHER PERMITTING & NON-REFUNDABLE SOME TIMES MAY BE DELAYED
Bikes, Balloons & BBQ Information
This year, the BIKES, BALLOONS & BBQ cook-off contest will be a state sanctioned bbq cook-off produced by the Kansas City BBQ Society. We're excited to work with the KCBS on this event! For more information please visit their website at www.smokinintheozarks.com. Arena gates will open at 6pm and Festival Goers will have the opportunity to purchase a $5 armband for all you can eat bbq (proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of LeFlore County). There will also be a bike show and live music beginning at 7pm.
Calling all Bikes!
This year we are opening the arena gates at 5:30pm to all bikers! Bikers will be allowed to park inside the rodeo arena and participate in the Bikes, Balloons & BBQ. (Please note festival armband & bikes, balloons & bbq armband are required and available for purchase). Judging for the bike show will begin at 7pm. For information on the Bike Show, download information and registration form here.
Join us on Saturday for our first annual poker run. For registration form click here.
5k Walk/Run
In 2012, we are pleased to announce that we will be having a 5K walk/run during the Poteau Balloon Fest. Registration is $20 BEFORE October 5th and $25.00 AFTER October 5th. Registration fee includes (1) Balloon Fest Armband, (1) Bikes, Balloons & BBQ Armband & (1) 5K T-Shirt. For additional information and registration form clickhere.
Rides, Attractions & Musicians
If you provide entertainment for festivals and would like to apply for providing entertainment for the 2012 Balloon Fest please contact Shannon at 918-647-9178 or adminpoteauchamber@windstream.net with a description of the entertainment provided, website links, pictures, requirements, fees & costs.
Lodging Information
It's never too early to make your hotel reservations! Check out one of several great choices in our Directory under Lodging!
If you prefer RV or Campsites, click here.
Sponsor Information:
To hold such a large event successfully, takes the work and involvement of many within our community. We would like to thank our many sponsors for their support and sponsorship.
There are many differnt levels of sponsorships available for 2012. For more information on how you can become a sponsor, please contact Shannon at 918-647-9178.
Presenting Sponsors:
Event Sponsors:
Entertainment Sponsors:
Balloon Sponsors:
Balloon Glow Sponsors:
Bikes, Balloons & BBQ Sponsors:
America's Best Frisbee Dogs Sponsors:
Rumble on the River Mud Pit Race Sponsors:
BMX Freestyle Team Sponsors:
Media Sponsors:
If you or your business are interested in sponsoring one of the many events at the 2012 Poteau Balloon Fest, please call us at 918-647-9178. There are many sponsor opportunities available.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call our office at 918.647.9178.
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