Lee and Karen Duquette, with their granddaughter Kristen and Rachel
at The Hot Air Balloon Festival
260 Hangar Drive
Statesville, North Carolina

October 18, 2025
USA map showing locationof NC

historyAt this time, Carolina BalloonFest is the second-oldest hot air balloon festival in the world and has been running for 50 years. The Statesville-based balloon festival brings in close to 40,000 people to Statesville from all over the country. Balloons fly all weekend (weather permitting). It began in 1974 as was then know as the National Balloon Rally.

This was a 3-day event in 2025. Lee and Karen Duquette only attended on one day. Individual day passes started at $15 for adults and $10 for Children ages 7 to 12. Kids 6 and under were free. The cost of admission goes back to the community through non profits that help provide volunteers for the events. It also cost $15 - $25 to park on this date. Handicap and Motorcycle parking was free on this date.

It is advised to bring a blanket or chairs. There was a playground (Kids Zone) for children, plus live music, a Wine Garden with an extra charge, Food Vendors, plus porta-potties. Please check their website for further information each year.

sunshne divider bar

You may view these sites in any order you choose, but it is easier to go in order because each page will lead to the next site. This is a 4-page section of Hot Air Balloons

Hot Air Balloon Ascension - Introduction to some of the balloons - started at 4:30 p.m. on this date

NOTE: After the initial ascension of a few hot air balloons, there was a very long break time, DUring which people could shop, buy food, take their kids to the playground, or just relax and listen to music. Lee and Karen Duquette enjoyed the time with their granddaughter and her friend. They all browsed the booths and enjoyed the very loud music.

Kristen and her friend Rachael Hart went up in a TETHERED hot air balloon at a cost of $20 a person. Karen took photos.

More hot air balloons arrived but many left because weather did not permit the balloons to fly in the air.
But everyone got to walk around the hot air balloons and take photographs,

Sunset Balloon Glows PLUS Night time Drone show celebrating 50 years

There are several travel exploration choices below. This does not have to be a linear site, so you may choose what and where you want to investigate next.

go to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies More will be posted HERE as Lee and Karen Duquette explore other places and events.

In the meantime,

Continue Navigation in the order of your choice
via the alphabetical or category buttons below

search for items on this webpage beginning with the letter A search for things on this website beginning with the letter B search for things/places on this website starting with the letter C search for things/places on this website starting with the letter D search for things/places on this website starting with the letter E search for things/places on this website starting with the letter F search for things/places on this website starting with the letter G search for things/places on this website starting with the letter H search for things/places on this website starting with the letter I search for things/places on this website starting with the letter J search for things/places on this website starting with the letter K search for things/places on this website starting with the letter L search for things/places on this website starting with the letter M search for things/places on this website starting with the letter N search for things/places on this website starting with the letter O visit places the two RV Gypsies have been that start with the letter P search for things/places on this website starting with the letter P search for things/places on this website starting with the letter R search for things/places on this website starting with the letter S search for things/places on this website starting with the letter T search for things/places on this website starting with the letter U search for things/places on this website starting with the letter V search for things/places on this website starting with the letter W search for things/places on this website starting with the letter Y search this website for things/places starting with the letter Z such as ziplines find anything starting with the letter Q on this website
Menu for The two RV Gypsies in Alaska
The two RV Gypsies in Canada
Countries the two RV Gypsies visited cruises Lee and Karen Duquette enjoyed USA Destinations About Lee and Karen Duquette
Brian Duquette's life and tradgedy
e-mail The Two RV Gypsies
Karen Duquette's Flashbacks Please sign the Two RV Gypsies guestbook helpful information for RVers helpful hints for RVers and campers
Art seen by the two RV Gypsies Campgrounds in the USA and Canada Gardens the two RV Gypsies visited Lighthouses the two RV Gypsies visited Museums the two RV Gypsies visited National Parks the two RV Gypsies visited
Oddities and unusal things and places Restaurants the two RV Gypsies visited State Parks the two RV Gypsies visited Videos by Karen Duquette Waterfalls the two RV Gypsies visited wildlife seen by the two RV Gypsies

OR Click here to see travels by the year (not the best way)