Raleigh, Zebulon, Wake County Welcomes First Hot Air Balloon Festival And Competition To Triangle Region In Nearly 25 Years

WRAL-TV Signs As Freedom Balloon Fest Title Sponsor

Raleigh, NC: Hot Air Marketing, LLC formally announced it has secured WRAL-TV as title sponsor for a major hot air balloon festival and skills competition coming to Raleigh, Zebulon and Wake County. The WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest launches Memorial Day Weekend 2015 (May 22-25, 2015).

Organizers are bringing one of the nation's premier hot air balloon festivals to Zebulon's Bennett Bunn Plantation with planned public events also scheduled for Spring Forest Road Park in North Raleigh. More than 30 balloon pilots and teams from 15 states and overseas will compete.

“We are delighted to be part of this new Memorial Day weekend event,” said Steven D. Hammel, Vice President & General Manager WRAL-TV.  “This is yet another vibrant activity for the Triangle. We hope this will become an annual tradition, celebrating freedom with family, saluting those who have served our country.”

“Securing WRAL as a title sponsor, with the enduring trust the community has in them, is just wonderful. They bring so many resources to this inaugural event.” said Brian Hoyle, event organizer and Managing Member of Hot Air Marketing. “With WRAL's capacity to support other sponsors' investments and build audience through its television, radio, and new media capabilities, we are very confident in the promise of the WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest to become a lasting cultural resource for our community.”  

WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest will invite the public to a mass ascension of all participating balloons, followed by a balloon "glow" just after sunset on Friday, May 22 at Bennett Bunn Plantation in Zebulon. Events in Zebulon continue on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings with competition balloon flights. 

Steven D. Hammel, Vice President & General Manager WRAL with Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane at kick off welcome event for WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest. Photo by C. Seward

On Saturday and Sunday afternoon, spectators will be invited to experience ballooning up close with pilot "meet-and-greet" events, tethered balloon rides and an evening balloon glow each night at both Bennett Bunn Plantation and Spring Forest Road Park. All ballooning events and activities are wind and weather-dependent.

Organizers encourage those seeking to sponsor, volunteer, or get more information, visit the event’s official website at www.WRALFreedomBalloonFest.com.