BEDFORD—After carefully considering the weather forecast for this coming weekend, officials have decided to cancel the Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest event at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds.
“The safety of our pilots, their balloons, and spectators is very important to us, and the forecasted weather provides an increased risk, which is unacceptable,” said officials.
Hurricane Helene is forecast to come ashore late this week and progress north, bringing rain and wind to Southern Indiana. The forecast provided by the National Weather Services calls for significant rain and strong winds on Friday and periods of rain and strong winds on Saturday, above the allowed conditions of the FAA waiver for the event. It will make operations of the hot air balloons dangerous, if not impossible.
“Unfortunately, the weather conditions for this weekend are not conducive to flying balloons; we only fly when the conditions are safe for all, while it is unfortunate we have no choice but to cancel this weekend,” said a Balloonmeister.
If you have purchased a ticket, although the ticket states no refunds, it will be honored at the gate next year on September 27-28, 2025, at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds.
