Where to Stay for the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair: A Family Camping Guide

Quick Answer

The Ravenna Balloon A-Fair is a four-day family festival held every September in Ravenna, Ohio, featuring hot air balloon launches and night glows, parades, live music, kids' activities, food and craft vendors, and a Saturday Jeep Show with car crush. Most events take place at the Portage County Fairgrounds in Atwater (about 10 minutes from downtown Ravenna). Country Acres RV Park is one of the closest family-friendly RV parks to the festival, with full-hookup sites, cabins, and tent sites available — and we book up fast for Balloon A-Fair weekend.

What Is the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair?

The Balloon A-Fair has been a Northeast Ohio family tradition since the late 1970s. It's hosted by the City of Ravenna and runs over the fourth weekend of September every year, drawing families from across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and beyond.

For 2026, the 47th annual Ravenna Balloon A-Fair runs September 24–27, 2026.

The festival splits across two locations:

• Downtown Ravenna hosts the Children's Parade on Thursday evening, the Grand Parade on Saturday morning, and a daylong street festival with food booths, craft vendors, live entertainment, and a special "Children's Alley" zone designed just for kids.
• The Portage County Fairgrounds in Atwater (about 10 minutes from downtown Ravenna) hosts the main festival activities — hot air balloon launches and night glows, live music, helicopter rides, the Jeep Show, monster truck rides, inflatables, axe throwing, mechanical bull, putt-putt golf, a petting zoo, pony rides, trackless train rides, food and beer gardens, and fireworks.

Admission is typically $5–10 per adult (kids 12 and under are free with an adult), and parking is free. The whole weekend is one of the best-value family events in the region.

Why Families Love the Balloon A-Fair

If you've never been to a hot air balloon festival, here's what makes them special: there's something genuinely magical about watching giant, brightly colored balloons inflate slowly on a grass field while the sun sets. Kids stare. Adults stare. Everyone takes photos.

The Night Glow is the highlight. After dusk, tethered balloons light up against the dark sky as the propane burners fire — it looks like a row of glowing lanterns the size of houses. It's the kind of moment that turns into a core memory for kids.

Combine that with:

• A traditional small-town Grand Parade on Saturday morning (more than 125 units)
• A Children's Alley with games, performances, and demonstrations
• A Jeep Show with a car crush (yes, they actually crush a car)
• Live music all weekend (tribute bands, local acts)
• Helicopter rides for families who want to get up in the air themselves
• Tethered balloon rides (weather permitting)
• Fireworks Saturday night

…and you have one of the most genuinely family-friendly festivals in Northeast Ohio. Younger kids love the inflatables, petting zoo, and trackless train. Older kids love the Jeep Show, axe throwing, and watching balloons launch. Parents love that admission is cheap and parking is free.

When to Arrive at Each Day's Events

Each day has a different feel. Here's roughly what to expect, based on a typical festival schedule:

Thursday: Children's Parade (Downtown Ravenna)

The festival's traditional kick-off, with a Children's Parade through downtown. Registration starts at 5:30 p.m. and the parade steps off at 6:30 p.m. Family-friendly, low-key, and a nice way to ease into the weekend.

Friday: Night Glow & Live Music (Portage County Fairgrounds)

Gates typically open at 5:30 p.m. The Hot Air Balloon Night Glow happens at dusk (weather permitting), and live music runs into the night. This is the most magical evening of the festival — go early and stake out a spot on the grass.

Saturday: Grand Parade & Main Festival Day

Saturday is the biggest day of the weekend.

• Morning: The Grand Parade in downtown Ravenna at 9:00 a.m. with 125+ units. The downtown street festival runs through the afternoon.
• Afternoon: Gates open at the fairgrounds at 3:00 p.m. The Jeep Show, car crush, and inflatables start mid-afternoon.
• Late afternoon: Hot Air Balloon Launch and static display around 5:00 p.m. (weather permitting).
• Evening: Live music, food, beer garden, and fireworks after dark.

Sunday: Final Balloon Launch

Gates open early afternoon. Live music through the day, balloon launch around 5:00–5:30 p.m. (weather permitting), and the festival closes after the last balloon comes down. Saturday is busier, but Sunday is calmer and ideal for families with younger kids who can't handle a packed crowd.

Where to Camp for Balloon A-Fair Weekend

Hotels in the immediate Ravenna area book out for Balloon A-Fair weekend, which is one of the reasons RV camping is the smart play. You get more space, you can cook for the kids, and you avoid the inflated holiday rates that hotels charge.

Country Acres RV Park is one of the closest family-friendly RV parks to the festival venues. We're located right in Ravenna, minutes from downtown and from the Portage County Fairgrounds. We're open through the Balloon A-Fair weekend, and we offer:

• Full-hookup RV sites — electric, water, and sewer
• Big-rig pull-throughs for larger Class A coaches and fifth wheels
• Partial and no-hookup sites for budget-friendly options
• Tent and primitive sites for traditional family camping
• Cabins and rentals for families without an RV

A few reasons families pick Country Acres for Balloon A-Fair weekend specifically:

• Proximity. You're not driving an hour back to a hotel after the fireworks.
• No festival parking stress. You can shuttle to the fairgrounds, return for naps, and be at the next event without redoing your day.
• Cooking and laundry on-site. Festivals get expensive when every meal is from a vendor. Cabins and RVs let you reset over breakfast at the campsite.
• A real campfire to cap the night. After the Saturday fireworks, kids who are wired can come home, roast a marshmallow, and unwind before bed.

Important: Balloon A-Fair weekend is one of the busiest weekends of our season. We strongly recommend booking by early August at the latest. Cabins and pull-throughs go first.

Check Balloon A-Fair availability at Country Acres →

How to Make the Most of Balloon A-Fair Weekend

A suggested itinerary for a family staying at Country Acres:

Thursday Evening

Arrive at Country Acres, set up camp, drive into downtown Ravenna for the Children's Parade. Get an early dinner at a local restaurant. Back to camp.

Friday

• Morning: Sleep in. Pancakes at the campsite.
• Afternoon: Easy day — maybe a short drive to West Branch State Park's beach or a trip downtown.
• Evening: Head to the fairgrounds at 5:30 p.m. for the Night Glow and live music.

Saturday

• Morning: Coffee, breakfast, then downtown Ravenna by 8:30 a.m. for the 9:00 a.m. Grand Parade.
• Late morning: Walk the downtown festival, grab lunch, browse craft vendors.
• Afternoon nap: Back to Country Acres for a couple hours of downtime — kids will need it.
• Late afternoon: Fairgrounds at 3:00 p.m. Jeep Show, car crush, inflatables, food.
• Evening: Stay for the balloon launch at 5:00 p.m., live music, and fireworks after dark.

Sunday

• Morning: Slow breakfast, pack up gradually.
• Early afternoon: Final fairgrounds visit for the closing balloon launch around 5:00 p.m. — or head out earlier if you have a long drive home.

That's a full weekend of family memories without burning anyone out.

Practical Tips for Balloon A-Fair Families

Things experienced festival-goers do that first-timers wish they'd known:

What to Bring

• Folding camp chairs — bring more than you think. The fairground is grass.
• Cash — most vendors take cards, but lines move faster with cash.
• Layers — late September Ohio evenings get cool, especially after the sun sets.
• A small wagon for kids and gear if you have toddlers.
• Water bottles — refills are free at most fairs, and it saves money.
• Sunscreen for the daytime, light jackets for nights.
• Phone charger / portable battery — kids will want photos of the balloons.

Festival Rules to Know

• No pets are allowed (except working service dogs). Country Acres is dog-friendly, so leave them at the campsite.
• No drones, bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades at the festival venues.
• The festival happens rain or shine, but balloon launches and fireworks are weather permitting.

Budget Realistically

A family of four can have a full weekend at the festival for under $200 in admissions and parking. Add food, vendor purchases, and helicopter or balloon rides if you want them, and you're still well under what a Cedar Point weekend would cost. RV camping is by far the most cost-effective lodging option for the weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair?

The Ravenna Balloon A-Fair is held annually over the fourth weekend of September. The 47th annual festival runs September 24–27, 2026.

Where does the Balloon A-Fair take place?

The festival splits across two locations: downtown Ravenna for the Children's Parade and Grand Parade, and the Portage County Fairgrounds in Atwater (4215 Fairground Rd., Atwater, OH) for the main festival activities, balloon launches, and live music.

How much does it cost to attend the Balloon A-Fair?

Admission is typically $5–10 per adult (varies by year and day), and children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Parking is free. Specific activities like helicopter rides, tethered balloon rides, and food vendors have their own pricing.

Is the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair good for kids?

Yes. The festival is heavily oriented toward families, with a Children's Parade, Children's Alley, inflatables, petting zoo, pony rides, trackless train rides, face painting, and tons of kid-friendly food vendors. The Hot Air Balloon Night Glow is especially popular with kids of all ages.

Are pets allowed at the Balloon A-Fair?

No. Only working service dogs are permitted at the festival venues. Country Acres RV Park is dog-friendly, so you can leave your pet at the campsite.

Where should I camp for the Balloon A-Fair?

Country Acres RV Park in Ravenna is one of the closest family-friendly RV parks to both festival locations. We offer full-hookup RV sites, big-rig pull-throughs, cabins, and tent sites — but Balloon A-Fair weekend books up fast, so reserve early.

Can I see the balloons without paying admission?

The hot air balloon launches happen at the Portage County Fairgrounds, which requires admission. However, balloons are visible from many spots around Ravenna once they're in the air, and the Saturday Grand Parade in downtown Ravenna is free to attend.

Will the balloons fly if it's windy or raining?

The festival happens rain or shine, but hot air balloon launches and fireworks are weather permitting. Balloons require calm winds and dry conditions. Even on weather-cancelled days, the festival still has live music, food, vendors, and most other activities.

How early should I book a campsite for Balloon A-Fair weekend?

We recommend booking by early August at the latest. Balloon A-Fair weekend is one of our busiest weekends of the year, and cabins and pull-through sites typically sell out first.

Book Your Balloon A-Fair Weekend at Country Acres

The Balloon A-Fair is one of those rare events where everyone in the family actually has fun. Toddlers love the inflatables. Elementary kids love the parades and trackless train. Tweens love the Jeep Show and axe throwing. Teenagers grudgingly admit the balloons are cool. Parents enjoy a craft beer in the fairgrounds garden and watch their kids run themselves to exhaustion.

If you're planning to come, the smart move is to lock down your campsite now. Country Acres has the proximity, the full-service amenities, and the family-friendly setup to make festival weekend easy.

Reserve your Balloon A-Fair stay →