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The Carolina BalloonFest is the country’s second-oldest hot air balloon festival. The festival on October 17 -19  at 531 Old Airport Road, Statesville, features hot air balloon morning competitions, mass ascensions, and evening balloon glows. There is also live entertainment on two stages at the festival, a kids’ zone, a marketplace, an artisan village, a wine and craft beer garden, and a walk inside a hot air balloon. See our article on Fall Festivals for more information.