SELMA, Texas – For a decade, The Chamber (Schertz-Cibolo-Selma Area) has been able to elevate family fun by presenting the RE/MAX Skylight Balloon Fest.
Maggie Titterington, president and CEO of The Chamber, said after attending a few balloon festivals she looked into having one locally. “Why not bring it to Selma? Why not just bring it here and just let everybody touch a balloon or see what it’s all about,” she recalled.
This Saturday, Sept. 26, the event marks its 10th year. Titterington said around 10 hot air balloons will be at the fest at Retama Park, located at 1 Retama Parkway in Selma, just off Interstate 35.
While the balloons are the big attraction, the vice president of The Chamber, Lauren Dalton, said the fest offers a whole lot more. “We have things like Dinosaur George, (he) is going to be here. We have the Family Fun Zone, which also is all about the kids,” Dalton said. “We always have inflatables and we’ll also have some games. We have live concerts.”
According to Titterington, Dalton, and the fest’s event page, the Spazmatics are the main concert performers. They also say attendees will be able to try items from dozens of food trucks.
Titterington said the fest will start early Saturday morning, weather permitting, with pilots performing balloon launches, and end at 9 p.m. “The pilots come out and they actually lay their envelopes, which is the actual balloon, that’s what it’s called. And they inflate them and then they’re actually going to fly off,” she said. “Depending on what direction the wind is (blowing) on Saturday, they’ll either all launch from the parking lot or some will launch off site, some will launch from here so that you can actually see some come back in.”
She and Dalton shared that those living in Schertz, Cibolo or Selma may be able to see hot air balloons if they step outside Saturday morning between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
And Titterington said following a jam-packed day, the event will culminate with the Spazmatics and the balloon glow at 8:30 p.m. “We will have all our balloons lined up on the track and they will be inflated,” Dalton said. “And then they will have a show choreographed to music where they just kind of twinkle, if you will.”
Titterington said the RE/MAX Skylight Balloon Fest is an affordable way to spend time with family and see what else Selma has to offer. “Besides having the Forum and the obvious great shopping places and the restaurants and we have parks, we have Retama Park,” she said. “What we’re trying to do is provide a family experience that isn’t going to break the budget.”
Organizers say the event will happen rain or shine. Tickets are on sale right now on the event’s webpage, $18.34 for adults and $12.05 for kids.
Organizers said parking is free, and entry will be a cashless, but vendors will accept cash and credit cards, and a clear bag policy will be in effect.
For detailed information on tickets, attractions, an event schedule and more, click here.
