All of Ottumwa looks to the skies in June during one of the community’s most popular events, the Elks 347 Ottumwa Pro Balloon Races. This five-day event - June 22-26 - in Greater Ottumwa Park features competition balloon flights on Friday and Saturday, with special activities each day and Balloon Glow at night.
Also a charity fundraiser, the event opens on Wednesday at 5 p.m. with Elk’s BINGO and the Shrine Club Spaghetti Dinner for a freewill donation. The Budweiser Beer Garden and Silent Auction will be open from 5-11 p.m.
Thursday is Veterans Appreciation Night and Bike Night, events with food vendors and the Budweiser Beer Garden. Enjoy Jennifer Handling & Revolution Band from 7-11 p.m., complementing Balloon Night Glow at dusk.
The weekend’s Competition Balloon Flights start Friday at 6 p.m. with Night Glow at dusk, followed by fireworks. The Budweiser Beer Garden and food vendors will be open from 5-11 p.m., and Dallas City Limits will take the stage from 7-11 p.m.
Saturday features a full slate of events, including Competition Balloon Flights at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., the Wapello County Sheriff’s Department Breakfast, two Bags tournaments, a car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Budweiser Beer Garden from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., the Chili Cookoff with public tasting from Noon to 2 p.m. and the band Crossroads 7 from 7-11 p.m. Then end the night with Balloon Night Glow, complete with the shape balloon.
From Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, all free kids activities will include the Kids Tractor Pull, Elks Drug Awareness & Fire Prevention Trailers, a hot dog meal with drink for all kids, games, bounce house, C1st Train, balloon art, air brush tattoos and a petting zoo.
Sam's Amusement Carnival opens at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Greater Ottumwa Park
1 Joe Lord Memorial Drive
Ottumwa IA
Stay up-to-date on what's happening in Ottumwa!
