Balloons Over Brookings
July 17-19, 2026 | Brookings, SD
A community weekend of hot air balloons, family fun, and small-town awe—presented by South Dakota Balloon Network in partnership with Pheasantland Balloons and 605 Balloon Ride.
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July 17-19th, 2026
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Mark Your Calendar
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Balloons Over Brookings
- July 17-19th, 2026 - Mark Your Calendar - Balloons Over Brookings
Quick Info
July 17–19, 2026
Best viewing: sunrise & early evening
When
Cost
FREE! This years event is supported by local business and city partnerships
Where
Brookings, South Dakota
Main viewing area: TBA
Event Updates
Look for updates on our Facebook page: Balloons Over Brookings
What to Expect
Morning balloon launches at sunrise Saturday & Sunday (weather permitting)
Evening balloon activities Friday & Saturday (weather permitting)
Balloons may not fly if weather conditions aren’t safe (that’s normal in ballooning)
Come early to watch balloon inflation—it’s half the fun
Please respect safety boundaries and follow volunteer direction
Balloons Over Brookings is built to be simple, safe, and memorable—one of those weekends where you look up and say, “Yep… that’s pretty amazing.”
Weather & Safety
Hot air balloons only fly when conditions are safe. Launch decisions are made by pilots and the event’s balloon operations team. If conditions aren’t right, balloons may delay, relocate, or (sadly) cancel.
FAQs
Q: What time should we arrive?
A: For best viewing, arrive 30 minutes before sunrise launch windows. Evening activities (if scheduled) also draw crowds—come early for parking and a good spot.
Q: Are balloons guaranteed to fly?
A: No—ballooning is weather dependent. If weather conditions aren’t safe, pilots won’t fly. We’ll post updates and next steps quickly.
Q: Can we bring lawn chairs / blankets?
A: Yes—please do. Be considerate of sightlines and keep walkways clear.
Q: Will there be food vendors?
A: TBA
Q: Are restrooms available?
A: YES
Q: Can we ride in a balloon at the event?
A: [NO—rides are not sold on-site / LIMITED / TBA]
(If you plan to offer rides separately, we should word this carefully.)
Q: What if weather cancels a session?
A: We’ll post the updated plan as quickly as possible. Sometimes we can shift times or locations; sometimes we can’t.
Q: Are drones allowed?
A: No. Drones create a serious safety hazard for balloons and pilots.
Sponsors & Partners
Balloons Over Brookings is presented by South Dakota Balloon Network in partnership with Pheasantland Balloons and 605 Balloon Ride. We’re grateful for the businesses and organizations helping make this weekend possible.
Brookings Chamber of Commerce
The City of Brookings
Ramsdell F & M - propane partnership
Interested in becoming a sponsor or supporting the event? Email: dan@flypheasantland.com
Community Sponsors
Volunteer
This event runs on neighbor-helping-neighbor. While the list of roles is still being worked on, if you can give a few hours, we’d love your help. Email dan@flypheasantland.com for more info.
Balloon flight crew
Parking & traffic flow
Guest info / welcome table
Setup / teardown / clean up
Volunteer Roles
Contact & Updates
Latest Update (Feb. 22, 2026): We’re actively working with the City of Brookings on permitting and logistics, building sponsor partnerships, and—most importantly right now—inviting balloon pilots to join us for July 17–19, 2026. If you’re a pilot (or know one), we’d love to connect.
Facebook: Balloons Over Brookings
Contact info (questions, sponsorship, volunteer: dan@flypheasantland.com
Update channels:
Page Hosted By:
This webpage is hosted by Pheasantland Balloons as a supporting partner. Event administration is managed by South Dakota Balloon Network.