By Ryan Duey
SkyFest Marysville is set to dazzle attendees with an action-packed weekend featuring country music star Logan Mize on his American Dream Tour 2024, hot air balloons, family activities, and more.
The two-day festival will be Saturday, July 13, at the Lakeview Sports Complex and Sunday, July 14, at the Marysville Municipal Airport.
On Saturday the festivities kick off at 4 p.m. with kids activities, food vendors, and a beer bin.
Children will be delighted by numerous activities, including the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center Mobile Museum, bounce houses, face painting, Essential Henna, Lasting Links permanent jewelry, balloons, and caricature artists.
There are a wide variety of food and drink options. Bite Me Barbecue will provide savory delights, Bobby’s Food Co., Crave, Country Cabin, Fire and Ice, Futhermucker’s BBQ, Southern Star Cafe and the Traveling Lunch Box.
Sweet treats and snacks will be available from Amber Pacha’s caramel apples, Katie’s Tropical Sno, King’s Cotton Candy, and more.
Free bottled water will be provided by the Evangelical United Church of Christ, and the Marysville Chamber & Main Street will serve beer and spirits. No outside drinks are allowed at the venue.
Attendees can enjoy a performance by Elliott Burns at 4 p.m., setting the stage for the main event. At 6:30 p.m., Logan Mize will headline the festival with a free concert. Mize brings the heartland to life through songs inspired by his Kansas roots.
Mize’s concert is sponsored by the Marshall County Arts Cooperative.
As the sun sets, the night sky will be illuminated by the enchanting glow of five hot air balloons, beginning at 8:30 p.m., weather permitting.
Chris Sabia, owner of Kansas City AeroSports, describes the balloon glow as “the most magical time, especially in the first thirty minutes when the balloons light up the night sky.”
Five balloons will be at the festival, each with a unique name.
“Balloon names are like boat names,” Sabia said. “The owners choose a name that matches the look of the balloon.”
The five balloons to be featured are Beeline Blues, Henryetta, Okla.; the Green Bean, Overland Park, Kan.; Champaign Cowboy, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Twister, Lenexa, Kan.; and Dot, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Following the balloon glow, fire performers will entertain the crowd, leading up to northeast Kansas’ largest fireworks display, providing a spectacular end to the evening.
For the convenience of attendees, handicapped parking will be available on-site, just north of Cyclone the black squirrel. Additional parking can be found at the Habitat Thrift Shop, Landoll Lanes, the Landoll Company parking lot on North 20th Street, and Community Memorial Healthcare, with volunteers on hand to shuttle people to and from the event using golf carts.
The celebration continues on Sunday, July 14, at the Marysville Municipal Airport.
The day begins with breakfast hosted by the Marysville Kiwanis Club from 5:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
At 6 a.m., hot air balloons will take off, offering a breathtaking sight, weather permitting.
From 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., an airplane fly-in will showcase a variety of aircraft, adding to the day’s excitement.
SkyFest Marysville promises a weekend filled with entertainment, community spirit, and unforgettable moments.
The event is sponsored by the Marysville Chamber and Main Street and Marysville Convention and Tourism.
For more information, please call 785-562-3101.
