5 reasons Middletown’s annual hot air balloon festival is one of Ohio’s most unique events

The sky will look a lot brighter in Middletown this weekend when the annual hot air balloon festival kicks off on Friday, July 20.

Here’s a few things to know about this unique event held July 20-22 at Middletown Regional Airport and Smith Park:

A huge variety: You will see much more than the typical tear-drop shaped hot air balloons. The balloons will come in many shapes and sizes and you might just feel like you are watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade when you see them.

RELATED: 29 amazing photos from Middletown’s annual hot air balloon festival

Easy access: Save yourself ten bucks on admission by using the park and ride at the airport. Save even more by walking to the festival.

Have a ride: You'll see balloons hovering, floating, competing and glowing. If you take a tethered balloon ride you'll have a choice view from inside the balloon basket.

RELATED: The Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival

Balloon central? According to TouringOhio.com the state has the third largest concentration of balloon pilots in the U.S. and "almost ideal geographic and atmospheric conditions for hot air balloon flights."

3 days of events: The festival kicks off at 4 p.m. on Friday and ends at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. For more details on the balloon festival see the official website.

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