Plano Balloon Festival releases four-day weekend schedule

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival begins today in Plano, Texas, with four days of balloon launches, glows, stage acts and family activities at Red Tail Pavilion and Oak Point Park. Organizers say the new daily schedule guides are meant to help guests plan around weather-dependent balloon events and packed weekend programming.

Why it matters: - The festival is a major annual draw for Plano and Collin County, marking 47 years of ballooning in the area. - More than 40 hot air balloons and special shapes are part of this year’s Shared Horizon theme. - The daily schedule guides make it easier for families to plan around balloon launches, glows and other timed events.

What happened: - The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival returns today and runs Sept. 17-20 at Red Tail Pavilion and Oak Point Park in Plano. - Organizers released four daily schedule guides covering balloon activities, live entertainment, parachute team exhibitions, the laser show and other programmed events. - Jo Via, executive director of Plano Balloon Festival, Inc., said the schedules are meant to help guests spend less time figuring out what is next and more time enjoying the festival.

The details: - Thursday gates open at 5 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. RE/MAX of Texas Parachute Team Exhibition. - Thursday night also includes the Balloon Glow presented by BMW, the Plano Symphony Orchestra Big Band Concert on the FOX4 Main Stage at 7:30 p.m. and the Laser Show at 9 p.m. - Friday starts at 4 p.m. with Midtown 10 on the FOX4 Main Stage, the parachute team exhibition, the Balloon Glow presented by RE/MAX and the Laser Show. - Saturday is the fullest day, with gates opening at 6 a.m. and a 7 a.m. Balloon Launch presented by H-E-B. - Saturday’s stage lineup includes the Plano Community Band, Children’s Chorus of Collin County, Fusion Performance Company and Shaolin Wu-Yi Institute. - Saturday evening also features Ice House Band presented by Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital, the parachute team exhibition, the Balloon Glow presented by H-E-B | Central Market and the Laser Show. - Sunday begins with gates opening at 6 a.m. and a 7 a.m. Balloon Launch presented by Thomas J Henry. - The festival ends Sunday at 11 a.m. - The schedules also highlight a Cold Inflation Balloon Walk-Thru presented with Uplifting Adventures, a local hot air balloon company and FAA-certified repair center. - During the walk-thru, the balloon envelope stays on the ground while filled with cold air, letting guests step inside, take photos and examine the balloon’s fabric, basket, burner system and other parts. - The experience was developed with Billy Broker, owner of Uplifting Adventures and a licensed commercial balloon pilot. - Broker also pilots Excellence, the official City of Plano hot air balloon. - Festivalgoers can also visit food and merchandise vendors, take a tethered hot air balloon ride, stop by the Central Market Kids Fun Zone or use the free Kids Korner for arts and crafts. - Online pre-sale tickets let guests bypass the Ticket Sales Tent and go straight to a Festival Admission Gate. - Tickets are also available at the festival. - Hot air balloon launches, glows, displays and tethered rides depend on weather and wind conditions. - Balloon activities happen only during scheduled balloon activity periods when conditions allow. - More information, including the full entertainment schedule, balloon activity times, parking details and tickets, is available here.

Between the lines: - The festival is balancing spectacle with education by pairing evening glows and launches with hands-on ballooning experiences. - The weather dependency of balloon operations means the schedule is a guide, not a guarantee, which makes the daily plans especially useful for attendees. - The event also serves a nonprofit mission, with Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. saying it helps participating nonprofits raise funds and awareness.

What's next: - Guests can use the daily schedule guides to plan around launch windows, concerts and family activities throughout the weekend. - The festival continues to promote weather-aware planning as balloon activity periods may shift or be limited if conditions change. - Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. will continue using the event to support its educational and community-focused mission.