East Tennessee's
Biggest Balloon Event!
Live Music, Food, and Fun
Aug 30-Aug 31 2025 Monroe County Airport Madisonville, TN
Twelfth Year of The Largest Balloon Festival In The Region
A Labor Day weekend event full of larger than life hot air balloons, fair-style foods, live music, a dedicated Kids Fun Zone, and tethered balloon rides. Each night ends with a coordinated Balloon Glow where pilots light their balloons to the rhythm of the music on stage.
This is a non-profit event, and all proceeds go directly to Boys & Girls Club of Monroe County. This organization helps hundreds of kids each year, and their studies show that children involved in a club become more caring, productive, and responsible citizens. We fully support their mission and are grateful for the work they do for our community.
See This Year's Balloons
We constantly look to add new balloons all the way up to our event date. Our goal is to provide our guests with the best show we can!
This Year’s Performing Artist
Zak Saltz Band
After many weeks of searching, we found the perfect band for the largest festival we've ever put on!
While defying traditional musical genres, the Zak Saltz Band (a.k.a. “ZSB”) may best be described as a Bad ***, Alt/Outlaw Country, Southern Rock & Blues Band that takes particular pride in putting on one hell of a live show every time and at any place that they play, from the biggest venues and events, right down to the smallest bars and private parties.
With his roots in Gospel Bluegrass, and then a later transformation to Country Rock, band founder Zak Saltz of Bristol, TN/VA is an energetic and easily likable Front-Man that will have both guys and gals grinning from ear to ear all night. Zak has spent many years honing his sound, writing, and refining his stage show. Together now with his partners in crime, Johnny Cox on bluesy lead guitar, thumping Will Dowell on electric bass, and Waylon Lewis rockin with steady, driving drums, ZSB has created a unique Southern Appalachian, Alt-Outlaw Country, Southern Rock & Blues sound that is sure to blow any crowd away!
Moments From Last Year's Festival
See the highlights of last year's festival as we get closer to the 2025 Monroe Life Balloon Festival.
This year is already full of exciting things and we're not done yet!
Get Your Ticket Today
Enjoy live music, delicious festival foods, tethered balloon rides, and more. VIP guests enjoy closer parking, a catered dinner from LongHorn Steakhouse, and access to the exclusive VIP tent!
General Admission
Add a tethered ride ticket for just $20!
This is a rain or shine event
- Access Event
- Live Music
- Fair Style Food
- Kids Zone
- Optional Tethered Rides
VIP Experience
Add a tethered ride ticket for just $20!
This is a rain or shine event
- VIP Parking
- VIP Tent Access
- Premium Viewing Area
- VIP Dinner Included
- Quick Ride Pass
- Live Music
Have questions? Get in touch and we’ll do our best to help.
Last Year's Vendors
We wouldn't be able to host our festival without help from these amazing companies. A huge thanks to all our sponsors and vendors!
Last Year's Highlights
Last year was a success as we featured some of the largest balloons we've ever had.
Have Questions? Look Here.
We're here to help answer your questions. If you don't see it answered below, please contact us.
Our festival takes place every year on Labor Day weekend at the Monroe County Airport in Madisonville, TN.
Guests begin arriving around 3:00p - 3:30p to ensure good parking and will line up at the gate. The event starts at 4:00p and ticket sales at the gate will begin at that time.For faster entry, please purchase your ticket online in advance!
We sell our tickets online on this website and through Eventbrite. We also sell tickets through select groups such as the Boys and Girls Club in addition to offering tickets day of the event at the gates.
Yes. We have the first two rows of parking dedicated to handicap parking, and guests that have difficulty walking to/from their vehicle can request one of our staff members to give them a ride in the golf carts.
You're welcome to bring items such as chairs, blankets or towels, cushions, strollers, or wagons. However, since we are on Cherokee land, they have a strict no alcohol policy that they enforce at the event. Guests are also not allowed to bring outside food or coolers.
Tethered balloon rides are offered weather permitting at $20/per person. You can buy these ahead of time online or day of event.
We let the parent decide if their kids are old enough to ride alone or if they need a parent to ride with them. Keep in mind that the noise and heat of the balloon's burners may not be suitable for smaller children or those with sensory sensitivities.
The tethered balloon rides last 5 minutes and go around 50 feet in the air. It's the perfect height for photos of the lake and sunset. Upon completion of the ride, the balloon will be gently brought back down and a crew of volunteers will help you out of the basket.
This is a rain or shine event, and we have staff members that will be monitoring the weather and posting critical updates to our Facebook. If there's rain or inclement weather, we may not be able to inflate the balloons or offer tethered rides until the weather clears up. The food, live music, kids activities, vendor and craft booths, and VIP tent + dinner all continue regardless of weather.
Unfortunately, no. All the proceeds from this event go directly to the Boys & Girls Club so we can't offer refunds. This event is a rain or shine event meaning that no refunds will be offered due to weather.
Only service animals are allowed at this event.
Still have a question? Ask your question here
Not Sure Where To Stay?
Finding a good hotel can be tricky. So here are some of our favorite hotels nearby. You can also check our partner sites for additional hotels and prices.