It’s been on the calendar for awhile now, but I overlooked the fact that Balloons Over Bend starts tomorrow(!). Well, technically there’s only a "media flight" for local media personalities tomorrow (Friday), and the rest of the festivities actually start on Saturday. It’s all taking place in the Old Mill District and Les Schwab Amphitheater. Here’s a taste:

[Saturday]

6:30am Balloon Launch- Les Schwab Ampitheater, weather dependent. Alternative location is Mt. View High School

10:00am Festival begins in Old Mill District- Powerhouse Dr.

10:00am-10:00pm- Marketplace- Powerhouse Dr.
Arts, Crafts and delicious foods will be available all day long.

10:00am-10:00pm- Street Painting Festival- Pedestrian bridge, Center Plaza

10:00am-9:00pm- Kids area- Across the river from Center Plaza
Pony rides, S&K inflatable adventures, face painting by Willow, balloon animals with Silly Lilly, activities with Kiddoz Play Center, hair wraps and temporary tattoos by Mtn View High School Band.

There’s a whole bunch of live music too, as well as food and a beer garden.

This year it seems like it’s more of an "festival" than previous years, which enhances the appeal—because I’ll be honest, I never really got the concept or why it was a big deal. But with more actual stuff going on, it sounds interesting.