Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/6/24

Colorful Balloons Light Up the Sky During Lakeside Spectacular — 

Labor Day Weekend Hot Air Balloon Show & Glow Returns

Callaway Resort & Gardens Hosts Farewell-to-Summer Tradition, 

Introduces New Dinner Under the Skies

Event Dates:  Aug. 30 – Sept.1

Location: Robin Lake Beach at Callaway Resort & Gardens

Price: Overnight Resort stays start at $279 nightly (Gardens & Special Event admission included)

One-Day Adult $35.99 Child (3-11) $26.99

Two-Day Adult $49.99 Child (3-11) $39.99

Three-Day Adult $69.99 Child (3-11) $59.99

Premium Members Free

A beloved family tradition returns Aug. 30 as Callaway Resort & Gardens celebrates its one-of-a-kind Labor Day Weekend Hot Air Balloon Show & Glow. The skies explode with color day and night as visitors experience vivid balloons during this end-of-summer weekend. New this year, Callaway introduces a lakeside barbecue on Saturday and Sunday for the best and tastiest way to experience the spectacle in the sky. Advance tickets include prime reserved seating, a Callaway keepsake, all-you-can-eat ribs, chicken, sides, dessert, and soft drinks. A cash bar for alcoholic drinks is available. 

In addition to Callaway’s regular family attractions, Labor Day weekend offers sun-up to sun-down activities, including tethered balloon rides*, live music, a Classic Car Cruise-In, a K9 Flight show, lakeside kids’ activities, water sports, and a nightly “glow,” where gigantic, rainbow-hued balloons light up and dance to a custom soundtrack around Callaway’s Robin Lake Beach before a grand finale fireworks display.

“Thrilling thousands for more than 25 years, these brightly-colored balloons dancing by the lake day and night are a beloved spectacle for all generations,” said Clarissa Chaudoin, marketing director, Callaway Resort & Gardens. “The easiest and best way for families to enjoy this cherished tradition is staying at Callaway’s Lodge or in a resort cottage. Guests enjoy admission to all the weekend’s festivities and all of Callaway Garden’s regular attractions, creating an affordable family getaway packed with activities.” 

Labor Day Packages start at $279 nightly, including accommodations at a full-service lodge or family-friendly cottages and villas, Callaway Gardens’ attractions admission, Labor Day Weekend Hot Air Balloon Show & Glow admission, and an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at Piedmont Restaurant. For a limited time, two-day and three-day admission advance online tickets are also available, providing families who live nearby the opportunity to play all weekend and save.

Visitors can experience the magic of the flying works of art in the early morning when weather permitting, they inflate near Robin Lake Beach. Later in the day, wind and weather permitting, families can get an up-close view and even take a tethered ride*, experiencing the thrill of flight while staying connected to the ground. When night falls, the balloons glow under the stars and provide a breathtaking show synchronized to an original music score. 

For the second year in a row, Daniel Stukas serves as Callaway’s balloon meister. In this role, Stukas manages and coordinates the balloon pilots and their support teams, assuring they all meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. An expert balloonist who has won multiple balloon races and flown on three continents, Stukas has previously flown as a participating pilot at Callaway’s event, debuting in 2023 as its balloon meister. Stukas has more than three decades of experience in ballooning, competing in races, serving as a balloon meister, or working as a safety officer. In addition, Stukas has garnered the highest accolade for pilots, the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, for more than 50 years of safe flying, including six years in the U.S. Air Force and 25 years with Delta Airlines. 

In addition to the balloon show, on Saturday, Aug. 31, Callaway also hosts a Classic Car Cruise-In at the Robin Lake Beach Dome featuring one-of-a-kind vintage cars and trucks. Veteran and newbie car enthusiasts can check out specialty vehicles and talk with exhibitors from 11AM – 3PM. Also, at Robin Lake Beach, daily live music is featured at 4PM and 7PM from Friday, Aug. 30 to Sunday, Sept. 1. In addition to all the special Labor Day weekend activities, Callaway Resort & Gardens offers families indoor and outdoor attractions and recreation, including seeing hundreds of butterflies at the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, flying over the lake on the TreeTop Adventure & Zipline course, marveling at the Birds of Prey lakeside show, and exploring the Megabugs trail. 

LABOR DAY WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, August 30
9 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.	Beach Entrance open
10 a.m. – 8 p.m.	Robin Lake Beach recreation activities open including cabana & water sports rentals
12 – 10 p.m.	Dining & Drink Specials at Robin Lake Grill
12, 3 & 6 p.m.	K9’s In Flight Dog Show
4 – 8 p.m.	Live Music at Robin Lake Beach
8:30 – 9:30 p.m.	Balloon Show & Glow (wind & weather conditions permitting)
9:30 p.m.	Fireworks Show
Saturday, August 31
6:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.	Beach Entrance open
6:30 – 8 a.m.	Balloon arrival / set-up / inflation (wind & weather conditions permitting)
8 – 11 am	Tethered Rides (wind & weather conditions permitting)
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.	Classic Car Cruise-In at Robin Lake Beach Dome
9 a.m. – 8 p.m.	Robin Lake Beach Recreation Activities: Swimming, Aqua Island Water Obstacle Course*, Water Tubing*, paddleboats*, paddleboards* and kayaks*
10 a.m. – 8 p.m.	Children’s Activities at Robin Lake Beach
11 a.m. – 10 p.m.	Dining & Drink Specials at Robin Lake Grill
12, 3 & 6 p.m.	K9’s In Flight Dog Show
12 – 3 p.m. & 5 – 8 p.m.	Live Music at Robin Lake Beach
4:30 – 9:30 p.m.	Tethered Rides (wind & weather conditions permitting)
6 – 8:30 p.m.	Under the Skies Dinner*
8:30 – 9:30 p.m.	Balloon Show & Glow (wind & weather conditions permitting)
9:30 p.m.	Fireworks Show
Early morning/late afternoon	Tethered balloon rides* (wind & weather conditions permitting)
Sunday, September 1
6:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.	Beach Entrance open
6:30 – 8 a.m.	Balloon arrival / set-up / inflation (wind & weather conditions permitting)
8 – 11 am	Tethered Rides (wind & weather conditions permitting)
9 a.m. – 8 p.m.	Robin Lake Beach Recreation Activities: Swimming, Aqua Island Water Obstacle Course*, Water Tubing*, paddleboats*, paddleboards* and kayaks*
10 a.m. – 8 p.m.	Children’s Activities at Robin Lake Beach
11 a.m. – 10 p.m	Dining & Drink Specials at Robin Lake Grill
12, 3 & 6 p.m.	K9’s In Flight Dog Show
12 – 3 p.m. & 5 – 8 p.m.	Live Music at Robin Lake Beach
4:30 – 9:30 p.m.	Tethered Rides (wind & weather conditions permitting)
6 – 8:30 p.m.	Under the Skies Dinner*
8:30 – 9:30 p.m.	Balloon Show & Glow (wind & weather conditions permitting)
9:30 p.m.	Fireworks Show
Early morning/late afternoon	Tethered balloon rides* (wind & weather conditions permitting)

Monday, September 2
8 a.m. – 8 p.m.	Gardens Entrance Open
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.	Robin Lake Beach recreation activities open incl. cabana & water sports rentals
12 – 6 p.m.	Dining & Drink Specials at Robin Lake Grill

*Additional ticket or rental fee required. Hot Air Balloon rides are CASH ONLY, $20/person.