Enjoy family fun at balloon faire in the shadow of Mount Shasta
The Montague Balloon Faire offers something for everyone
The Montague Rotary Balloon Faire offers something for everyone, from stunning dawn mass ascensions, to antique and art shows, to steam train rides. Nestled in the beautiful Shasta Valley, near the California-Oregon border, this fall festival takes place with spectacular views of Mount Shasta.
This annual late-September event draws people from all over the United States to enjoy three days of events in the relaxing setting of the Shasta Valley. Over 40 balloons promise a bouquet of colors each morning at the dawn mass ascensions.
"This is the only balloon fair in this region. To me, the biggest reason to come is that this is a beautiful time to come to this area," says past event coordinator Don Humphries. "You come to spend a nice weekend in the Mt Shasta area, with this as an activity to compliment exploring our natural beauty."
Activities traditionally begin Thursday evening with a dinner and Old Fashioned "Melodrama" on stage at the Montague Community Center, with the Scott Valley Theatre Company. Friday morning the balloons take to the air in the first dawn mass ascension of the faire. A full breakfast and many fun family events follow the dawn spectacle.
Visitors can view the Saturday dawn mass ascension from a closed or open air car when the Historic Blue Goose Excursion Train winds through the valley towards Montague during the Fair. Balloons float over the train in the early morning hours and then touch down around the train, giving passengers one-of-a-kind views and photo opportunities.
Balloon enthusiasts vsit the launch site where they can sample the wares of various vendors of ballooning souvenirs. Saturday is filled of things to do following the dawn mass ascension. Antique and art shows feature work by area artists and fine antiques and collectibles.
The streets are busy with antique cars on Saturday morning. The cars clear out before noon to make way for a downtown parade. The afternoon is full of fun for the kids, with a radio-controlled airplane and flying demonstration at the launch site.
Sit down Saturday evening for a traditional barbeque sirloin dinner with all the fixins and live entertainment. Dinner is followed by an evening glow, when the balloons light up to show their colors set against the dark sky.
To add to the experience, visitors can stay in the RV Village next to the launch site. The RV Village can accommodate up to 250 RVs where families and groups can stay together. The village is a dry site, however there is a dumping station and water available.
The festivities finish up Sunday morning with the final dawn mass ascension followed by a Tail Gator party.
For information on this year's Balloon Fair and more, contact the Siskiyou County Visitors Bureau at 877-747-5496.
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