The Citizen Pottawatomie Nation's Fire Lake Firelight Balloon Fest returns to Shawnee

One of Oklahoma’s most colorful summer traditions is taking flight next weekend. The Citizen Pottawatomie Nation’s Fire Lake Firelight Balloon Fest returns to Shawnee with hot air balloons, live music, and family activities. Balloon Fest Committee member Tyler Maxwell discusses the event and what people can expect. What can people expect this year? Maxwell: Goodness, I was thinking on the way up here today and the best way to explain it is food, festival, family, fun, and balloons. Can attendees take a ride in a balloon? Maxwell: You can. There are tethered rides available on the spot and I believe all of the commercial rides are already sold out, but there are tethered rides available on the spot both Friday and Saturday. Can you tell us about some of the other attractions available for families? Maxwell: It’s open to anyone. It’s truly a festival; you can come, there’s all kinds of vendors to choose from, all kinds of food to choose from. There are helicopter rides. There’s a $10 wristband available for the kiddos and there’s a kid zone available both Friday and Saturday. What makes this event so popular to attend? Maxwell: I always say the main thing is this is the weekend right before school begins and it’s free to enter. Now again, there are options to buy things while you’re there. You know, the vendor market, the food, helicopter rides, and a bunch of other sort of things. But it’s free to actually enter the festival itself. The event is Aug. 7 and 8 at Citizen Pottawatomie Nation grounds in Shawnee, Okla.