First Fruits Farm Memorial Balloon Festival is a Memorial Day Weekend event that will encourage guests to remember and honor those who died in active military service defending our country. It will also be a family event with many fun components that everyone can enjoy, and a great way to kick off the summer.
This is the second year for this festival. It will take place May 27th to May 30th, 2022.
The festival features entertainment, both on the ground and the air, hot air balloon rides, food and drink, live music, military vehicles to explore, and much more.
The festival also features fireworks and a balloon glow show.
Check out the list of Memorial Day Weekend events in the Triangle!
In addition, there will be a Memorial Flag Garden, where you may plant a flag to honor the heroes in your life. Many people write names or tape a picture to the wooden stick to personalize it. On Memorial Day the flags will be gathered and given back to those who planted them, taken to area cemeteries, or replanted in future years.
First Fruits Farm
First Fruits Memorial Balloon Festival takes place on First Fruits Farm, 2323 E River Road, Louisburg, NC. This farm was founded by Jason and Tay Brown, after Jason Brown left a successful 7-year career in the NFL to create and care for this 1,000-acre farm.
Since 2014, First Fruits Farm has donated over 1.6 million servings of fresh produce to the community, with help from volunteers.
Festival Schedule
Friday, May 27th
- 2:00 pm Festival Site Opens to Public
- 3:00 pm Canines in the Clouds Dog Show
- 3:45 pm Tommy Nieman
- 5:00 pm Opening Ceremonies
- 5:45 pm RC Plane Exhibition
- 5:45 pm SAJASO
- 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Tethered Balloon Rides
- 6:30 pm Balloon Mass Ascension
- 6:40 pm All Veterans Group Parachute Team
- 7:15 pm Tommy Nieman Band
- 8:15 pm Willis Gupton
- 8:20 pm Sunset
- 8:45 pm Hot Air Balloon Glow
- 9:15 pm Fireworks Show
- 10:00 pm Festival Site Closes
Saturday, May 28th
- 12:00 pm Festival Opens to the Public
- 2:00 pm Canines in the Clouds Dog Show
- 2:30 pm Rae Radick Band
- 3:00 pm All Veterans Group Parachute Team
- 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Hot Air Balloon Pilot Meet & Greet/Basket Display
- 3:15 pm American Bombshells
- 3:45 pm – 6:00 pm NCSU Pipes & Drums
- 4:00 pm Canines in the Clouds Dog Show
- 4:30 pm Rae Radick
- 5:10 pm Letters From Home Military Tribute Group
- 6:00 pm Canines in the Clouds Dog Show
- 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Tethered Balloon Rides
- 6:20 pm American Bombshells
- 6:30 pm Balloon Mass Ascension
- 6:45 pm All Veterans Group Parachute Team
- 7:10 pm Paige King Johnson
- 8:15 pm Letters From Home Military Tribute Group
- 8:20 pm Sunset
- 8:45 pm Hot Air Balloon Glow
- 9:15 pm Fireworks Show
- 10:00 pm Festival Site Closes
Sunday, May 29th
- 12:00 pm Festival Opens to the Public
- 1:30 pm PRAISE & WORSHIP w/Tommy Niemans Band
- 2:00 pm Canines in the Clouds Dog Show
- 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Hot Air Balloon Pilot Meet & Greet/Basket Display
- 3:00 pm All Veterans Group Parachute Team
- 3:00 pm American Bombshells
- 3:45 pm – 6:00 pm NCSU Pipes & Drums
- 4:00 pm Canines in the Clouds Dog Show
- 5:00 pm Rae Radick Band
- 5:30 pm RC Plane Exhibition
- 6:00 pm American Bombshells
- 6:00 pm Canines in the Clouds Dog Show
- 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Tethered Balloon Rides
- 6:30 pm All Veterans Group Parachute Team
- 7:00 pm One For The People
- 8:15 pm Rae Radick Band
- 8:20 pm Sunset
- 8:45 pm Hot Air Balloon Glow
- 9:15 pm Fireworks Show
- 10:00 pm Festival Site Closes
Monday, May 30th
- 10:00 am Festival Site Opens to Public
- 11:30 am – 12:15 pm 2022 Event Closing Ceremony
- 2:00 pm Festival Site Closes
Tickets
Tickets are available both online and at the venue. Tickets are only $10 per day for adults and $5 per day for children ages 6-12.
Please note that if you buy tickets on site, they are cash only.
Tickets for Monday are free, but please note that Monday is truly a memorial service. There aren’t any balloons, food, vendors or entertainment.
Activities at First Fruits Farm Memorial Balloon Festival
There will be plenty of entertainment and activities for both adults and children at the festival, including:
- Pony rides
- Petting zoo
- Makers’ Market
- Walk-in balloon for kids
- Festival food court
- Carnival rides for adults and children
- Axe throwing
- Military equipment
- Gem mining
- Canine show
- Chainsaw artist show
- Main stage entertainment
- Memorial flag garden
- Nightly fireworks show
- All veteran group parachute team
- More
Hot Air Balloon Rides
If you want to go on a hot air balloon ride, you’ll need to schedule it with the individual pilot. Rides are $275 per person. You’ll pay the pilot directly. More information.
Tethered balloon rides will be available from 6 to 9 p.m. each day of the event, weather permitting. The cost is $20 per adult and $10 for children under 12. Cash only. Tethered rides are on a first-come, first-served basis. Go to the Tethered Ride Tent for tickets and to sign a waiver.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
Learn about all the ways to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend in the Triangle, or look at a quick list of events here:
