June 26, 2025 • 8 mins
Ashland BalloonFest is going on today, Thursday, June 26th through Sunday, June 29th at Freer Field in Ashland. Kristine Flickinger, media relations for the event, talks about more than 30 hot air balloons are coming in from Michigan, California, and many from Ohio. There will be music, food and much more in the 35th year for the event.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We're gonna push line one this morning. Say good morning
and head over to Ashland as balloon Fest is underway
today Thursday and running through the weekend on Sunday. Christian
flick in Jury's with us in her sixty year helping
out with Balloonfest. She is media relations and I know
this is like year round planning. This is, you know,
(00:21):
biggest event in Ashlin. He draws so many people. Christian,
good morning and thanks for joining us. I'm sure everybody's excited.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Right, good morning. Yes, we are so excited for this weekend.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
All right, Well, let's jump in and give people a
little background. Balloonfest has been going on for quite some time.
Tell us a little bit of the history and all
of that.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yes, so this is actually our thirty fifth anniversary of
the Assen Balloon Fest. I am lucky enough to be
on the committee for our thirtieth and our thirty fifth
balloon Fest. So it's been quite quite an experience.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Now you draw a lot of people for this, I
don't know. And it was on your website. You guys
have a great website again to go to Ashland Balloonfest
dot com. We'll talk more about that at a moment.
How many people yearly do you? Do you have any
numbers from last year. I know this draws a lot
of people.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
I think last year we had around seventy thousand people
on the field throughout the weekend.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Well, that is terrific, and that's one of the things
you think about Ashland, Richland counties. But they come for
much further.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Right, Yes, we get people that comment call in to
our Chamber of Commerce from Cleveland, Columbus, all over the
state of Ohio.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
All right, Christian flickingers ourgast again, we're talking about Ashland
Bloonfest getting underway and running through this weekend. Kristen, Let's
talk about balloons and all of that. And I know
this changes year to year. How many balloons are you
guys kind of forecasting will be at Balloonfest this year?
Speaker 2 (01:50):
We have thirty one balloons this year, coming from all over.
We have people from Michigan, people from California, bunch from Ohio.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
All right, a lot of pilots making their way in
Ashland for the big event. Let's talk about the event
because I know balloons, of course are kind of the centerpiece,
the highlight. But you have music, you have things for kids,
lots of food share with us. I know, if you'd
run down some of the musical entertainment you'll have, you
want to list any of the great food. I know
(02:22):
you have a lot going on for kids as well, right, yeah,
So this.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Year we have three great nights of entertainment. Tonight, we
have Emily rapt from five to nine, Rare Vintage ten
Tomorrow Night from five to nine, and then the ever
so popular Tom's Kitchen Table from five to nine on Saturday.
And then in addition to that, we do have a
lot of great kids events this year. We have bingo
and coloring on Saturday under the VIP tint. We have
(02:48):
a new event feature that's the Great American Kite. We
were lucky enough to get a grant and so there's
going to be giant kites flying on the field Saturday
from eleven to four, weather permitting. Lots of great stuff.
We still have the inflatables, face paintings, fill up the
balloon artists, We have princesses coming, lots of great things
(03:10):
for all ages.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Lots of good food too, right.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Yes, And we're also having our food Truck Friday from
eleven to one. So some of the vendors are going
to be open on Friday during your lunch hours, So
if you'd like to, you know, come on down and
get some food before the event, they will be open.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Are you hearing from Christian Fleckinger today? She is with
Ashland Balloonfest in her sixty years. She's the media relations
person who helps coordinate everything, giving us all the great
information here on the air this morning. You mentioned at
the field. I guess, so you know, I you know,
most people in the area know where Balloonfest has helped.
(03:49):
Maybe somebody's new to the area they haven't been there before.
Tell people where balloon Fest is held at in Ashland.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
We will be at Freer Field and once you see
the balloons, you will know where to go. But about
this weekend, we've got a lot of great things. You know,
there's food, there's kit events, there's stuff to the adults.
And then make sure you grab your balloon Fest merchandise
this year that is exclusively from the Balloonfest committee. So
we redid our logo and we specifically have Balloonfest merchandise
(04:18):
this year.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Yeah, if you want to check it out, and Christian
will tell you this again from Balloonfest, they have a
newly or I guess redesigned website Ashland Balloonfest dot com. Christian.
They can go on there, hoodies, t shirts, all of that, right.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Yep, Windbreakers. I think there's even some accessories on there,
and then there'll be some stuff. We have a gal coming.
She's going to set up for trailer, so there'll be
things there that she can press and print on the field.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
All right, very cool again, Christian Flick and you're our guests.
We're going to keep her a couple more minutes with
Ashland Balloonfest Media Relations in her sixth year. So something
ever so popular is when we get into the evening
hours in the balloon glow. For somebody who's never experienced that, Christian,
paint them a picture on the radio, tell them about
(05:06):
the balloon glow.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Oh, the balloon glow. We have to give a huge
shout out to OhioHealth for being our balloon Glow sponsor.
But it is one of those things where you just
have to be there in person to witness it. All
the balloons in slate on the field and they they
glow to music, they glow to just different beats. We
do a great job with our sound people and the
(05:28):
balloon artists, the pilots, I should say, it's incredible. If
you've seen any pictures on Facebook or Instagram, they do
not do justice.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Now for somebody who wants to take part in the
balloon glow, roughly what time frame can you explain some
of that?
Speaker 2 (05:44):
The ballue blow is supposed to start around eight point fifteen.
It does depend on when the flights get in and
when the wind is right, because weather is very important
to these pilots and the balloons. Just because it feels
windy to you or doesn't feel windy to you, very
windy for those balloons. So we always have to check
the safety of that. So I know some years where
(06:05):
we haven't been able to inflate the balloons because of
when we've also done some of the pilots will just
light their burners and they will go off the burner,
so it gives something of a show if we can't
inflate the balloons that night.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
All right, Well, that's a good point to bring up.
All of this. Of course, dependent on the weather to
be good. You mentioned if it's too windy, any type
of you know, storm or something, so it kind of
keep your eye on the forecast. This weekend over at
Ashland Balloonfest. Christian Flickinger is with us now. One final
thing before I let you go, I was on the
website and we encouraged them to check out all the
events Ashland Balloonfest dot com. It says you could have
(06:41):
a balloon land in your yard. Is this possible? Explain here?
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yes, So it depends again on the weather and the wind.
But if you are willing to have a balloon possibly
land in your yard or your property, you just put
a white blanket out in your yard and they will
know where to look for all right.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Very very cool. If you again you want to check
out the information, Christian, encourage them to go to the
website I mentioned, Ashland Balloonfest dot com. You told me
newly redesigned, right.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Yes, newly redesigned. And also check the Facebook and Instagram
for updates throughout the weekend.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
Okay, so they can do that that way. If something
changes time wise, or any important information, you guys will
share it there on social media.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Then yep, we will share if the flights are a go,
when the balloons are taking off, all of that stuff
will be on our social media.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
All right, Christian, anything I've missed here, I know with
this is always a big event in Ashland. You draw
so many people. You mentioned like seventy thousand last year.
Anything we missed the people should know about Balloonfest this year.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
I mean we're going to have the helicopters again this year,
so this is our second year for that, so that'll
be a fun addition as well.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Okay, so people can have a helicopter ride that wud
assume they need to purchase a ticket right correct, That.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Is paid on the field and that's cash or credit.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
I do believe, Okay, all right, a lot of good
things happening, hard to believe, rolling toward you know, fourth holiday,
all of that, balloon Fest arriving, warm temperatures, all of that,
and a great visit this morning learning about a big
event in the area. That's Ashland Bloomfest in their thirty
fifth year. Kristin Flickingers are against again. She's media relations
(08:14):
in her sixth year with the event. Kristin, thanks so
much for spending some time with us telling people about
this year's event, and good luck with everything this weekend.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Absolutely, thank you so much for having me
We're gonna push line one this morning. Say good morning
and head over to Ashland as balloon Fest is underway
today Thursday and running through the weekend on Sunday. Christian
flick in Jury's with us in her sixty year helping
out with Balloonfest. She is media relations and I know
this is like year round planning. This is, you know,
(00:21):
biggest event in Ashlin. He draws so many people. Christian,
good morning and thanks for joining us. I'm sure everybody's excited.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Right, good morning. Yes, we are so excited for this weekend.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
All right, Well, let's jump in and give people a
little background. Balloonfest has been going on for quite some time.
Tell us a little bit of the history and all
of that.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yes, so this is actually our thirty fifth anniversary of
the Assen Balloon Fest. I am lucky enough to be
on the committee for our thirtieth and our thirty fifth
balloon Fest. So it's been quite quite an experience.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Now you draw a lot of people for this, I
don't know. And it was on your website. You guys
have a great website again to go to Ashland Balloonfest
dot com. We'll talk more about that at a moment.
How many people yearly do you? Do you have any
numbers from last year. I know this draws a lot
of people.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
I think last year we had around seventy thousand people
on the field throughout the weekend.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Well, that is terrific, and that's one of the things
you think about Ashland, Richland counties. But they come for
much further.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Right, Yes, we get people that comment call in to
our Chamber of Commerce from Cleveland, Columbus, all over the
state of Ohio.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
All right, Christian flickingers ourgast again, we're talking about Ashland
Bloonfest getting underway and running through this weekend. Kristen, Let's
talk about balloons and all of that. And I know
this changes year to year. How many balloons are you
guys kind of forecasting will be at Balloonfest this year?
Speaker 2 (01:50):
We have thirty one balloons this year, coming from all over.
We have people from Michigan, people from California, bunch from Ohio.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
All right, a lot of pilots making their way in
Ashland for the big event. Let's talk about the event
because I know balloons, of course are kind of the centerpiece,
the highlight. But you have music, you have things for kids,
lots of food share with us. I know, if you'd
run down some of the musical entertainment you'll have, you
want to list any of the great food. I know
(02:22):
you have a lot going on for kids as well, right, yeah,
So this.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Year we have three great nights of entertainment. Tonight, we
have Emily rapt from five to nine, Rare Vintage ten
Tomorrow Night from five to nine, and then the ever
so popular Tom's Kitchen Table from five to nine on Saturday.
And then in addition to that, we do have a
lot of great kids events this year. We have bingo
and coloring on Saturday under the VIP tint. We have
(02:48):
a new event feature that's the Great American Kite. We
were lucky enough to get a grant and so there's
going to be giant kites flying on the field Saturday
from eleven to four, weather permitting. Lots of great stuff.
We still have the inflatables, face paintings, fill up the
balloon artists, We have princesses coming, lots of great things
(03:10):
for all ages.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Lots of good food too, right.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Yes, And we're also having our food Truck Friday from
eleven to one. So some of the vendors are going
to be open on Friday during your lunch hours, So
if you'd like to, you know, come on down and
get some food before the event, they will be open.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Are you hearing from Christian Fleckinger today? She is with
Ashland Balloonfest in her sixty years. She's the media relations
person who helps coordinate everything, giving us all the great
information here on the air this morning. You mentioned at
the field. I guess, so you know, I you know,
most people in the area know where Balloonfest has helped.
(03:49):
Maybe somebody's new to the area they haven't been there before.
Tell people where balloon Fest is held at in Ashland.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
We will be at Freer Field and once you see
the balloons, you will know where to go. But about
this weekend, we've got a lot of great things. You know,
there's food, there's kit events, there's stuff to the adults.
And then make sure you grab your balloon Fest merchandise
this year that is exclusively from the Balloonfest committee. So
we redid our logo and we specifically have Balloonfest merchandise
(04:18):
this year.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Yeah, if you want to check it out, and Christian
will tell you this again from Balloonfest, they have a
newly or I guess redesigned website Ashland Balloonfest dot com. Christian.
They can go on there, hoodies, t shirts, all of that, right.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Yep, Windbreakers. I think there's even some accessories on there,
and then there'll be some stuff. We have a gal coming.
She's going to set up for trailer, so there'll be
things there that she can press and print on the field.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
All right, very cool again, Christian Flick and you're our guests.
We're going to keep her a couple more minutes with
Ashland Balloonfest Media Relations in her sixth year. So something
ever so popular is when we get into the evening
hours in the balloon glow. For somebody who's never experienced that, Christian,
paint them a picture on the radio, tell them about
(05:06):
the balloon glow.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Oh, the balloon glow. We have to give a huge
shout out to OhioHealth for being our balloon Glow sponsor.
But it is one of those things where you just
have to be there in person to witness it. All
the balloons in slate on the field and they they
glow to music, they glow to just different beats. We
do a great job with our sound people and the
(05:28):
balloon artists, the pilots, I should say, it's incredible. If
you've seen any pictures on Facebook or Instagram, they do
not do justice.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Now for somebody who wants to take part in the
balloon glow, roughly what time frame can you explain some
of that?
Speaker 2 (05:44):
The ballue blow is supposed to start around eight point fifteen.
It does depend on when the flights get in and
when the wind is right, because weather is very important
to these pilots and the balloons. Just because it feels
windy to you or doesn't feel windy to you, very
windy for those balloons. So we always have to check
the safety of that. So I know some years where
(06:05):
we haven't been able to inflate the balloons because of
when we've also done some of the pilots will just
light their burners and they will go off the burner,
so it gives something of a show if we can't
inflate the balloons that night.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
All right, Well, that's a good point to bring up.
All of this. Of course, dependent on the weather to
be good. You mentioned if it's too windy, any type
of you know, storm or something, so it kind of
keep your eye on the forecast. This weekend over at
Ashland Balloonfest. Christian Flickinger is with us now. One final
thing before I let you go, I was on the
website and we encouraged them to check out all the
events Ashland Balloonfest dot com. It says you could have
(06:41):
a balloon land in your yard. Is this possible? Explain here?
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yes, So it depends again on the weather and the wind.
But if you are willing to have a balloon possibly
land in your yard or your property, you just put
a white blanket out in your yard and they will
know where to look for all right.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Very very cool. If you again you want to check
out the information, Christian, encourage them to go to the
website I mentioned, Ashland Balloonfest dot com. You told me
newly redesigned, right.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Yes, newly redesigned. And also check the Facebook and Instagram
for updates throughout the weekend.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
Okay, so they can do that that way. If something
changes time wise, or any important information, you guys will
share it there on social media.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Then yep, we will share if the flights are a go,
when the balloons are taking off, all of that stuff
will be on our social media.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
All right, Christian, anything I've missed here, I know with
this is always a big event in Ashland. You draw
so many people. You mentioned like seventy thousand last year.
Anything we missed the people should know about Balloonfest this year.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
I mean we're going to have the helicopters again this year,
so this is our second year for that, so that'll
be a fun addition as well.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Okay, so people can have a helicopter ride that wud
assume they need to purchase a ticket right correct, That.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Is paid on the field and that's cash or credit.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
I do believe, Okay, all right, a lot of good
things happening, hard to believe, rolling toward you know, fourth holiday,
all of that, balloon Fest arriving, warm temperatures, all of that,
and a great visit this morning learning about a big
event in the area. That's Ashland Bloomfest in their thirty
fifth year. Kristin Flickingers are against again. She's media relations
(08:14):
in her sixth year with the event. Kristin, thanks so
much for spending some time with us telling people about
this year's event, and good luck with everything this weekend.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Absolutely, thank you so much for having me
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