DANVILLE, IL. (Chambana Today) — In an unexpected move, after ten years at the Vermilion County Airport, the Balloons Over Vermilion Board has decided to move the popular event to Kennekuk County Park located just off North Henning Road in 2026, through a partnership with the Vermilion County Conservation District.
Along with the decision to move venue, the board has also changed the event dates from July to June 5-6, 2026, to kick off the new summer session with what is said to accommodate more accessibility and more opportunities for visitors.
The future of Balloons Over Vermilion is looking bright and organizers plan to make this event an even bigger draw than before and will continue the traditions of the past including as many hot air balloon next year as in the past, kids zone, tethered balloon rides, local bands for entertainment, plenty of food and other activity vendors, flights and balloon glows
Dean Carlton, a balloon pilot and organizer of the event has noted that this change will help improve things by providing wind buffers for hot air balloons and has in the past been used to launch balloons in previous years.
Carlton has also said that while at the Vermilion County Airport, there have been complications with fencing and the airport having to close the runway during the event, which isn’t good for an active running airport. He said that they just wanted to eliminate any conflicts.
There are plenty attributes at the park where organizers hope will entice more visitors to the event, especially next year, with this not only being the event’s 10th year anniversary that also coincides with the 200th anniversary of the county. to help commemorate that, organizers hope to have the Bunker Hill area buildings open with people dressed in period clothing. All in all, this also is a 25th year celebration of the ballooning in the Danville area, with the original Balloon Classic event that ran for 15 years and the now Balloon over Vermilion event. There was a 15-year interval between the two events.
Over the coming months organizers are planning more events and announcements to soon follow this announcement.