Balloons Over Bend 2023

Schedule of Events

FRIDAY, JULY 28

Sunrise Balloon Launch

Gather at R.E. Jewell Elementary to watch hot air balloons launch up into the Central Oregon Sky!

4-10pm Night Glow Begins at COCC

For those that don’t want to rise and shine for the launches, the Night Glow brings another opportunity to view the hot air balloons up close.

5pm Balloon Blast Race at COCC

This obstacle course is for kids aged 3-10. Parents and guardians are encouraged to cheer on the little athletes as they tackle all of the obstacles.

For

Friday, Saturday & Sunday July 28th–30th

SATURDAY, JULY 29

Sunrise Balloon Launch

Gather at R.E. Jewell Elementary to watch hot air balloons launch up into the Central Oregon Sky!

5pm Redmond Night Glow

As the sun sets over Redmond, hot air balloons are set up at Deschutes County Exp Center and inflated for all to see.

SUNDAY, JULY 30

Sunrise Balloon Launch

Gather at R.E. Jewell Elementary to watch hot air balloons launch up into the Central Oregon Sky!

Tickets & More Information, Please Visit

Join

Balloon launches are free to attend!

Tickets are only needed for the Balloon Blast Race and the Night Glow portions of the event.

FRIDAY NIGHTGLOW AT COCC

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.

Check out everything happening at this year’s event below!

4pm - Gates Open!

4-10pm - Shop the Marketplace

5pm - Balloon Blast Kids Race Kicks Off

6-7pm - Live Music – Doc Ryan Trio

7:30-8:30pm - Live Music – Major Dudes

8:30pm - Balloons Rollout

Sunset - Balloons Light Up!

MUSIC

Doc Ryan Trio

American Roots music, pure and simple. Folk, Blues, Rock, Gospel, Alt.

MARKETPLACE

FOOD VENDORS

TOTS!

Durando Creations

Qualiserve

NW Wing Shop

Morsel Maven

Corndog Company of CO

Kona Ice

Dippin Dots

VENDORS

ISoMimo

Moonlit Crystals

Stavoren Trading Co.

Monstera Earrings

Limoncello and Co

Annie’s Jammie’s

Renewal By Andersen

Catman Cellars

Earthy Little Scents

Cascade Salsa

Quality Finishers, Inc.

SillySnailStitchery

El Yunque Creations LLC

A New dye

Bend Teardrop Inc.

Washington Trust Bank

Nature’s Mosaic

Central Oregon Psychic LeafFilter North LLC

Ladd’s Leather

Wondery Art + Adventure School

Artistry by EmiliaRose

Zambalha

Evergreen Virtual Academy

Accident Care Chiropractic

Moon Dance Creations

Major Dudes

Spend the evening dancing and singing to your Steely Dan favorites! Daren McGavren on guitar and vocals, Gary Gallagher on keyboards and vocals, Rob Zipper on Drums and Rob Fincham on Bass and vocals.

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.

Robert Raper – Fallen Angels

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.

Justin Wilkinson – RE/MAX

Justin Wilkinson is a second 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 three amazing children.

Jayson Kimball – Jitterbug

Jayson Kimball is a second-generation Hot Air Balloon Pilot and owner of Napa Valley Aloft Balloon Rides.

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.

Pat Irwin – Battle Born

Pat Irwin has been part of ballooning since 1981, when the Great Reno Balloon Race was created. He attended as a spectator and has held every position you can imagine until becoming a pilot in 1996. Now retired, he is looking forward to more adventures and flying in many new states and countries. Pat is extremely competitive and loves the competitions that come with balloon races. Mostly, he loves to meet new people and just float!

BALLOON BLAST KIDS RACE

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!

Race Start Times

Ages 3 to 4 — 5:00pm

Ages 5 to 6 — 5:15pm

Ages 7 to 8 — 5:30pm

Ages 9 to 10 — 5:45pm

Register Today at BALLOONSOVERBEND.COM OR ON SITE

COCC • FRIDAY, JULY 28

About PacificSource Kids Rock the Races

Does your kid want to join in on the fun? Are you hoping to instill your love for running and the outdoors? Not only is this race series a chance for little ones to be a part of the “Big Kid” races, but it’s also a great way to teach children how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

The races are non-competitive — everyone receives a finishers ribbon and a punch card to earn more prizes. Run multiple races, earn more prizes!

Lay It Out Events proudly supports local nonprofits & community organizations

Every year, a portion of proceeds from Balloons Over Bend is donated to a local nonprofit. In 2023, COCC Foundation will be this year’s beneficiary!

WHO WE ARE

The COCC Foundation supports COCC, and its students, to ensure that the college is a vital, accessible, premier educational resource in Central Oregon.

WHAT WE DO

We provide financial assistance to students, fiscal support for college programs, and occasionally run campaigns in support of needed college capital improvements.

WAYS TO GIVE

Thank you for considering a gift to the Central Oregon Community College Foundation. There are several ways to give, all of which make a great impact.

Since 1955, Central Oregon Community College Foundation scholarships have enabled students to learn new skills, earn technical certificates, complete two-year associate degrees and be prepared to pursue the remainder of their undergraduate studies at a college or university.

We are proud, and exceedingly grateful, that Central Oregon Community College Foundation scholarships have impacted the lives of tens of thousands of Central Oregon students. These students come from all corners of the College district and share one belief that education can change and improve their lives.

Our scholarships provide financial support, but for many students being a scholarship recipient means something more. It means that someone believes in them enough to provide them with the financial resources needed to attend COCC. It means that someone else believes in their dreams.

REDMOND BREWFEST & NIGHT GLOW

We’ve moved to the Deschutes County Fairgrounds to accommodate even more brews, balloons and excitement!

Admission to the Redmond Brewfest and Night Glow is absolutely free, courtesy of the generous support of the Redmond business community. Festival cups and 16oz pours will be available for purchase! Prices and packages will be announced soon!

We are very thankful for our sponsors, including our Title Sponsor, US Bank, and our outstanding beer and cider sponsors who make this event possible.

Because kids love to run like balloons love the sky.

is a proud sponsor of the Balloon Blast Kids Race— and a soaring good time.

Mark your calendars, gather your friends, and prepare for an unforgettable evening of craft brews, delicious food, live music, and the enchanting spectacle of the Redmond Night Glow. Don’t miss the Redmond Brewfest and Night Glow on July 29th at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds.