Most towns in Arkansas have some kind of festival. From watermelon festivals to rotary tiller races to mule jumps, Arkansas’s various festivals are unique and fun for the whole family. One festival, however, rises above the rest. I mean that literally, because the most impressive part of Arkansas’s very own hot air balloon festival mostly takes place in the sky.

The Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races are held in downtown Harrison and will take place September 8 -10 in 2017. You can find directions to Harrison here.

Arkansas’s hot air balloon festival is called the Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races. That’s because at the festival you’ll find three days worth of hot air balloon races, along with other activities that will knock your socks off.

Facebook/ Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races and CASA Kids Festival

2017 marks the 22nd annual Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races. It has been held in the town of Harrison since 1995.

Facebook/ Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races and CASA Kids Festival

The festival is so much more than races. You can have a ride in a tethered hot air balloon for $5.

Facebook/ Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races and CASA Kids Festival

They also offer helicopter rides.

Facebook/ Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races and CASA Kids Festival

The Saturday of the event is the day when the CASA Kids Festival takes place. You’ll find bounce arounds, all your favorite festival foods, live music, and pony rides.

Facebook/ Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races and CASA Kids Festival

When the sun goes down the balloons are tethered to the ground, which makes for a stunning backdrop for the festival’s evening events.

Facebook/ Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races and CASA Kids Festival

Even the races themselves are impressive. There’s nothing quite like seeing all of those huge balloons up close and personal and then watching them disappear higher and higher in the sky.

Facebook/ Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races and CASA Kids Festival

If you’re thinking about going, you should know that the festival organizers put safety first, so if it’s exceptionally windy or raining, the festival will be cancelled.

Facebook/ Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races and CASA Kids Festival

There’s no festival in the Natural State more visually stunning or unique than the Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races.

Facebook/ Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races and CASA Kids Festival

For another Arkansas festival that’s one-of-a-kind, click here. To see more festivals that you should think about attending, check out these.

Facebook/ Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship Races and CASA Kids Festival

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