FAQ

The CenterPoint Energy Red River Balloon Rally is Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12, and the U.S. Team Nationals competition is every day starting Wednesday, June 9 until Sunday, June 13.

We do not allow for people to bring in outside food or drinks to the festival site.

You may bring in blankets or chairs to the site, but we have a list of items that we do not allow to the festival.

(All items will be searched upon entry and electronic wanding will be utilized for all attendees.)

• No Bags Larger Than 8” X 10”
• No Smoking of Any Kind (Propane in Use)
• No Weapons
• No Firearms
• No Pets
• No Grills or Open Flames
• No Fireworks
• No Video Taping Equipment
• No Glass
• No Tents of Any Kind
• No Patio Umbrellas or Oversized Umbrellas
• No Outside Water, Food or Beverages
• No Drones
• No Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• NO TAILGATING ANYWHERE ON THE BROOKSHIRE GROCERY ARENA PROPERTY OR SURROUNDING PARKING AREAS. (See gate supervisor for special requests such as diaper bags and medications in coolers.)
• ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES PURCHASED ON FESTIVAL SITE CANNOT LEAVE THE PREMISES.

The gates open at 5:00 PM.

The event will end at 11:00 PM.

Absolutely no pets are allowed. You can bring a REGISTERED service animal, but please keep in mind this is a very loud festival. There is live entertainment and a fireworks show. Hot air balloon burners also emit a very high frequency noise that irritates animals. We do not have an area for animals to relieve themselves, nor do we have pet watering stations. You must clean up after your registered service animal.

We will not issue any refunds in the event that the event is canceled.

You can check out more information for the Glow in Greenwood or the Balloons Over DeSoto on Facebook.

We WILL be offering refunds due to venue change. Please email saymond@sbsports.org with your tracking number to process your refund.

The tether rides cost $20 each. The balloon tether will go up weather permitting.

Not on the site itself, but if you would like to schedule a flight in a hot air balloon you may call American Escapes Aerosports at 318-458-9467 for balloon ride information.

• We have a AEP SWEPCO Family Fun Zone tent with lots of great activities for children!
• We will have some different kids’ activities including ax throwing, archery hoverball, basketball shoots, and more operated by Duvall’s Entertainment. There will be a photo booth for families too!

Yes, each of the 4 gates will have an ATM nearby and we will also have two ATM’s inside of the festival as well.

Some of the food booths do take credit cards, but we will have ATM’s on site in case some of them do not.

The fireworks will start on Friday and Saturday at 9:30 PM. The fireworks on Friday will end at approximately 9:38 PM and we will have a larger show on Saturday that ends at approximately 9:45 PM.

We do not have our list of entertainers finalized yet, but we will make an announcement on Facebook soon. Make sure to like and follow our Facebook page as we come out with more information!

VIP parking is located in the south lot closest to the festival.

Handicap parking is located in the South parking lot closest to the venue.

• Parking is FREE this year! Be sure to give the parking lot sponsor- A Brighter Smile, a thank-you when you go!
• VIP parking is $15 online only

The site begins to get busy around 6:30 PM. We recommend that you try and arrive between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

• Tickets can be purchased at local Brookshire’s and Super 1 Foods locations at the service desk counter
  • $12 for all tickets (Adult, kids, etc.)
  • Kids 5 and under are free and do not require a ticket

• Tickets can be purchased online (with an additional $3.50 per ticket fee)
  • $12 for adults 18+
  • $10 for military
  • $10 for Children ages 6-17
  • Kids 5 and under are free and do not require a ticket

• Tickets can be purchased at the gate, CASH ONLY (ATM available on site)
  • $20 for adults
  • $15 for military
  • $15 for Children ages 6-17
  • Kids 5 and under are free and do not require a ticket

• Children ages 6-17 are $10 online, but do include fees ($3.50)
• Children 5 and under get into the event free.

No, due to COVID capacity limitations you have to use your ticket the night you purchased.