July 3-4, 2008
Lexington, Virginia

HOT-AIR BALLOONS TO FILL SKIES OVER LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA

Expanded activities for children and families will add color and excitement to the BB&T Hot-Air Balloon Rally this Fourth of July week. For the twelfth consecutive year, Lexington's Sunrise Rotary Club will coordinate an event that brings thousands of people to the Virginia Military Institute's Parade Ground for two days of fun, food and festivities.

This year will have games, pony rides and even more inflatable play sets for youngsters from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday July 3rd and from 2 to 9 p.m. on the Fourth. Barbecue dinners and live musical entertainment will be available both evenings.

BB&T sponsors the signature activity of the week: the gathering of colorful hot-air balloons for a rally over the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Visitors seeking a breathtaking trip may purchase rides for the evenings of July 3 and 4 or the mornings of July 4 and 5. Launch times are scheduled for 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., but may vary because of weather and winds. For information and reservations, call 540-461-0006. Tethered balloon rides for adults and children will also be available after 6 pm on July 3 and July 4.

Throughout the afternoon and evening of July 4, the Parade Ground at VMI comes alive with continued music and kids’ activities, face-painting, an antique-car display and an amazing array of food and craft vendors. One of the biggest draws each year is "Eleanore's MarketPlace," (a tag sale of gently used items) which will open at 9 a.m. July 4 and continue until about 4 p.m.

Visitors may bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics to the Parade Ground to enjoy a beautiful balloon glow at dusk on the third and a spectacular 20-minute fireworks display on the Fourth at about 9:30 p.m. Vendors will be on hand selling delicious foods of all kinds throughout the festivities on both days.

Admission to the event is free. A bus shuttle is provided for your convenience.

Lexington Sunrise Rotary donates all the proceeds from the event to more than a dozen area charities, especially ones that help children.

In addition to the balloon rally, historic Lexington offers many other things to see and do during July Fourth week, including the Marshall Museum, the VMI Museum, Lee Chapel and Museum, the Stonewall Jackson House, and the Lime Kiln Theater. The town's annual July Fourth children's bicycle parade is also a “must-see."

Lexington is at the intersection of Interstates 64 and 81 in Rockbridge County. For more information and updated schedules for the Balloon Rally, check: www.sunriserotarylexva.org. 
 

If you have any questions or would like more information about Lexington & the Rockbridge area, please contact the Tourism Office at 540-463-3777 or 877-453-9822, email us, or use our Online Request Form.