Welcome…
We would like to thank you for your interest in the 2012 Poteau Balloon Fest. In February 2011, the Poteau Chamber took over promotion and production of the Annual Balloon Fest. With less than one year to prepare, the Poteau Balloon Fest Council made the decision to change the venue of the event. It was a huge success. We estimate over 20,000 attended in October of 2012 and Poteau saw it's first "traffic jam".
Date, Time & Venue…
The dates for the 2012 Poteau Balloon Fest are October 19th & 20th. Friday, the 19th, the gates will open at 4:00pm to the public and will close at 11:00 pm. Saturday morning, the 21st, they will open at 9:00 am and close at 11:00pm. The 2011 Poteau Balloon Fest will again be held on the LeFlore County Fair Grounds on Highway 271 South.
View The Poteau Balloon Fest in a larger map
Costs...
Balloon Fest armbands are $3 in advance per armband. Children 3 and under are free. Chamber offices will close at 3:00pm on October 19th. At the gates, armband admission prices will be $5 per person (3 and under free.) Advance armbands will be available for purchase at the Poteau Chamber of Commerce in person or by calling 918-647-9178 beginning August 1, 2012. We hope to have them available for purchase online as well.
Please note that the Carnival and other ride attractions may charge additional fees. The Poteau Balloon Fest Council does not set these fees.
All events are weather permitting and non-refundable.
Vendor Information
Our 2011 Vendors were very pleased with the location change! We have made some changes to the Vendor Application for 2012. Click here to download the 2012 Vendor Application.
Schedule of Events
October 19, 2012, Friday Event Schedule - ALL EVENTS ARE WEATHER PERMITTING
7:30am - "Balloons Over Poteau” MEDIA FLIGHTS ONLY (Balloons will meet and then disperse and take off from different areas within Poteau and the surrounding area.) Please DO NOT park on Highways for the safety of motorists.
4:00pm - 11:00pm: GATES OPEN
4:00pm - Vendor Booths Open
*More Events to be scheduled and announced
October 20, 2012, Saturday Event Schedule - ALL EVENTS ARE WEATHER PERMITTING
7:30am: "Balloons Over Poteau" SPONSOR FLIGHTS ONLY (Balloons will meet and then disperse and take off from different areas within Poteau and the surrounding area.) Please DO NOT park on Highways for the safety of motorists.
9:00am-12:00am: Gates Open
10:00am-10:00pm: Fun Times Carnival Open
9:30am - Vendor Booths Open
*More Events to be scheduled and announced
ALL EVENTS WEATHER PERMITTING & NON-REFUNDABLE
SOME TIMES MAY BE DELAYED
Rides, Attractions & Musicians
If you provide entertainment for festivals and would like to apply for providing entertainment for the 2012 Balloon Fest please contact Shannon at 918-647-9178 or adminpoteauchamber@windstream.net with a description of the entertainment provided, website links, pictures, fees & costs.
Lodging Information
It's never too early to make your hotel reservations! Check out one of several great choices in our Directory under Lodging!
If you prefer RV or Campsites, click here.
Sponsor Information:
To hold such a large event successfully, takes the work and involvement of many within our community. We would like to thank our many sponsors for their support and sponsorship.
Sponsorships will be available for 2012. For more information on how you can become a sponsor, please contact Shannon at 918-647-9178.
We want to thank our 2011 Sponsors. As you conduct day to day business, we hope that you will also take the time to thank them for supporting the 2011 Poteau Balloon Fest.
Presenting Sponsor: Regional Development Associates
Event Sponsors: Choctaw Nation & Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center
Entertainment Sponsors: Verizon Wireless
Balloon Glows: AES-Shady Point
Bikes, Balloons & BBQ Sponsor: Don Wise Construction & Connie Wise Real Estate
America's Best Frisbee Dogs: Heavener Animal Clinic, Mesa's Pet Resort, Russell Cellular, Bubbles & Bows Grooming, Central National Bank; Shockley's Auto Sales, The Community State Bank, Kay Sullivan Real Estate, 701 Corp, Allstate Termite & Pest Control, Blue Leaf Promotional Products, Southern Star, Eastern Oklahoma Fabrication, Terry Amend, Attorney at Law
Rumble on the River Mud Pit Race: Rick's Exhaust, Martin Dunn Auto Sales, Watson Motors, Rons Diesel Truck Service, Poteau Tag Agency, Shady Point Body Shop, Speech Therapy Center for Children, James Lockhart State Representative, AARC Towing & Recovery, Eastern Oklahoma Fabrication, The Shop, Bud's Country Junction, BP America, Martin Dunn Auto Country, Water Products Inc., BP
Balloon Sponsors: Allstate Pest Solutions, Carl Albert State College, Brian Roberts CPA & LaHuerta's/Maria's Mexican Restaurants; First National Bank, JOB Construction & The Purple Plume, Adams Abstract Co., The Community State Bank, State Farm Insurance, Best Western - Traders Inn, Arvest Bank, Barber & Barber Attorneys, Well's Completion, BP America, Don Wise Construction & Connie Wise Real Estate, UAFS, Smith Chevrolet, Stephens Media/Times Record, Jamatt RV/Ron's Discount Lumber, Regional Development Associates.
Safety & First Aid Sponsors: LeFlore County EMS & Emergency Management
Other Sponsors: OG&E Electric Company, Scissors N Suds Grooming, River Valley Cosmetology, Gray Brothers Equipment, LLC, Bill's Electric
Media Sponsors: The Big John Show, Channel 40/29 TV, Poteau Daily News, Southwest Times Record, Clear Channel Radio, Serious Shopper, Ouachita Trading Post
If you or your business are interested in sponsoring one of the many events at the 2011 Poteau Balloon Fest, please call us at 918-647-9178. There are many sponsor opportunities available.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call our office at 918.647.9178.
Add us as a Friend: www.facebook.com/poteauballoonfest
Like our "Official" Fan Page: www.facebook.com/poteauokballoonfesst