THE FOLLOWING IS A BALLOONS OVER VERMILION RELEASE
From whimsical, larger-than-life special shape balloons to a full lineup of live music, Balloons Over Vermilion 2026 promises a weekend where sights and sounds come together for an unforgettable community celebration.
Do ducks, roosters and sheep fly in hot air balloons? They do in “Voluntold.” This giant, playful balloon features animals peeking out in tribute to the first flight of living creatures in 1783 by the Montgolfier brothers in Versailles, France. Voluntold is piloted by Danville native Gary Moore, who discovered ballooning during the Balloon Classic era. After taking his first ride at the predecessor event, Moore connected with fellow pilots and ultimately chose ballooning as his retirement passion. Among his career highlights is piloting the iconic Tony the Tiger balloon, a crowd favorite at festivals nationwide. Voluntold’s appearance is generously sponsored by Patten Earthmoving and Quick Pools and Spas.
Another crowd-pleaser, “Baby Dino,” will delight the young and young at heart as a lovable baby dinosaur emerges from its shell, greeting spectators with its oversized head, arms and tail. Baby Dino is piloted by second-generation balloonist Scott Griswold of Selkirk, New York. Its appearance at Balloons Over Vermilion is made possible by The Siefert Team: Keller Williams Realty, TREC.
Beyond the skies, the festival brings energy to the ground with a packed entertainment schedule on the Iroquois Federal, a division of Servbank stage. Thanks to the support of a dedicated entertainment sponsor, this year’s musical lineup expands the festival experience for attendees of all ages.
“We are incredibly grateful to our entertainment sponsor for stepping up in such a meaningful way,” said Carly Goodwin, Balloons Over Vermilion Event Co-Chair. “Their support allows us to offer a dynamic lineup that truly elevates the entire weekend experience for our community.”
Entertainment Schedule
Friday, June 5
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – In-Bloom
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Tom Grassman Band
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Big Guns
Saturday, June 6
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Captain Rat & The Blind Rivets
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. – New Souls
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. – The Royal Hounds
Mark your calendars for June 5 and 6 for the 10th annual Balloons Over Vermilion at Kennekuk County Park in Danville, Illinois. Additional announcements, including a high-flying finale and more entertainment details, are coming soon.
“Be sure to follow BalloonsOverVermilion.com and our social media channels as we continue to build excitement for this year’s event,” said Balloons Over Vermilion Co-Chair Dean Carlton.
