Admission Prices

Festival Admission:

Admission is required for ages 4 & over.  Gate admission is $5 per person with a $15 minimum.  We are offering a special Pre-Purchase Family Package for $20 plus this includes 5 armbands. When using Debit or Credit Card there will be an additional $1.00 service charge per transaction.

The following shows and attractions are NOT included with gate admission and require a separate fee: Helicopter Rides, Mean Machine Monster Truck Rides, Tethered Balloon Rides, Carnival Rides, Pony Rides, any other ride attractions.

Tickets for all ride attractions cannot be purchased in advance and are purchased from individual vendors or attraction operators.  We do not set or control pricing on ride attractions. Pricing for previous years is as follows: helicopter rides-$40 per person; Mean Machine Monster Truck Rides-$10 per person; Carnival Rides - The Carnival has offered Family Night on Thursday, October 19th  with $15 armband (FREE gate admission & FREE parking), a $25 armband on Friday night from 7pm - 11pm. Individual tickets for rides have been sold for $1 each and each ride takes 3-5 tickets.  Pony Rides are $5 per rider. Tethered balloon rides are $10 per person with a age, height and weight restriction. For individuals inquiring about Tethered rides, participants MUST be tall enough to see over the basket (approximately 4 feet).

Armbands sales begin August 1, 2018. To purchase armbands in advance, please call 918-647-9178. They will be sold for $5 each. We are offering a special Pre-Purchase Family Package for $20 this includes 5 armbands.

Debit and credit cards require a minimum purchase of $15.

When using Debit or Credit Card there will be an additional $1.00 service charge per transaction.

Each year the Poteau Balloon Fest offers various events that give festival goers plenty to see and do. Most of these events are included with gate admission and some include an extra cost.  We do however try to keep costs as low as we can.  Larger event this year at the 2017 Poteau Balloon Fest  will include on Friday and Saturday, Cockrill's Critters, a full petting zoo FREE to the public allowing 15 people to go through the petting zoo at a time. The petting zoo features Rudy Roo Roo the Kangaroo and a selfie loving camel and monkeys.  Also join us in the mud pit area Friday Night for the 4th Annual Twin Cities Redi Mix BurnOut Competition, Big Fox Mud Run ATV/UTV Mud Race and the Pumpkin Mud Run and Belly Flop Contest. Saturday join us for the Annual Big Fox Mud Run, the Little Miss & Mr. Balloon Fest Pageant, and Pet Contests. With much more in between from, Carnival Rides, K9 Dog Demonstrations, and EMS's "Take 10 for CPR."

For a timeline of events click here.

Little Mr. & Mrs. Balloon Fest Pageant Form

Pet Contest Form

Pumkin Mud Run Form

Please visit our member directory to find a list of restaurants, hotel and motels, rv parks or campgrounds that are Chamber members!

Free parking is available at Carl Albert State College parking lot.  FREE shuttle buses are also available to transport to and from the Balloon Festival. Pick Up & Drop Off for all shuttle buses is at the Main Gate. 

Parking on the Main Grounds is $5 per vehicle includes buses, handicap and motorcycle.  If you leave and return, you will have to pay again to park on the main grounds.

The Poteau Balloon Fest is quickly becoming one of the most sought out events  for vendors in the State of Oklahoma. Vendor space at our festival is limited!  All vendors are accepted on a first paid basis.  You must send in full payment and deposits with your completed application.  No special treatment is given to any vendor, local or non-local, first time or returning.  All payments must be made payable to Poteau Balloon Fest.

Vendor forms for the 2018 Festival are below:

FOOD VENDOR (LIMITED)

NON-FOOD VENDOR (INCLUDES POLITICAL, BUSINESS, ARTS & CRAFTS)

RIDE & ATTRACTION

NON-PROFIT & CHAMBER MEMBERS

Here at the Poteau Chamber, we know from experience with any event, especially one of this size, it takes a number of people to help pull it off and make it a successful event.  All of our volunteers receive a Poteau Balloon Fest volunteer shirt and free gate admission.  Volunteers can sign up online or by calling the Poteau Chamber at 918-647-9178.

Our volunteers are the heart of our community and are greatly appreciated for the time that they put in.  We ask that you remember that those working this event are volunteers. Please treat them with respect.  Each year we also ask for nominations for a "Balloon Fest Volunteer of the Year".  If one of our volunteers went above and beyond, please find out their name and let us know how they helped you by emailing us or contacting us at the Chamber Information tent located near the front gate. 

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER!

To view the Volunteer Handbook click here
To view the volunteer training click here

The Poteau Balloon Fest brings over 20,000 people to our area each year.   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 continued support and investment.  If you are interested in sponsoring the 2018 Poteau Balloon Fest you may obtain a form below or by contacting us at the Poteau Chamber of Commerce.

Sponsorship is open to any business or vendor.  

Balloon Sponsorship Form

Presenting Sponsorship Form

Thank you to the sponsors for the 2017 Balloon Fest!

Presenting Event Sponsors

Choctaw Casino & Resort & JaMatt RV/Camping World

Balloon Sponsors

Northside Liquor, Premier Outdoor, Oklahoma Ag Credit, Edward Jones, JOB/ Purple Plume, Central National Bank, First National Bank, Adams Abstract, Spider Webb, Allstate Termite & Pest Solutions, Regal Car Sales, Dobson Technology, Arvest, Keith Caffey Family, Mahindra of OK, Times Record, Dr. Hussain, Well Completions, Barber & Barber

Balloon Area Sponsors
Bud's Country Junction, Reed Williams Insurance, Felix Thompson, Asset & Investment Advisers - Lavon Williams, Cocoa Cola, State Farm - James T. Smith, Roberta's Cafe, Poteau Daily News

Balloon Glow Sponsors

AES, OG&E and Bravado Wireless

Platinum Sponsor

Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center

Cockrill's Critters Exotic Petting Zoo

The Community State Bank, Watson Motors, TSET Healthy Living, Casey's General Store, LeFlore County Vet Clinic, Senator Mark Allen, Kay Sullivan Real Estate, LaHuerta's/Maria's, Health & Wellness Center, Ollie's Lumber, Poteau Tag Agency, Terry Amend, Aaron's Furniture, Shockley Ranch, Santa Express of Poteau - Jim Marsh, Scarborough Excavation, Rock Producers

Big Fox Run ATV/ UTV

Belle Point Beverages - Bud Light, Rexel, Car Mart, Advantage Home Health & Hospice, Shady Point Body Shop, AOG, Tote-A-Poke, Poteau Tag Agency, T-Wrecks Towing LLC

Hospitality Sponsor

LCDC

Derek Cook FMX

Watson Motors, Smart Mart, Poteau Tag Agency, Windstream Communications, Sure Stay Plus Hotel, Ted Kondos DDS, Ricky Belt Trucking, McConnell's Flooring

America's Best Flying Frisbee Dogs

Mobile One, Hammond Family Dental, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Poteau, Poteau Valley Vet Hospital, Brian Roberts CPA, State Farm - John Hamilton