Columbus, Kansas (population ~3000) is located in the corner of southeast Kansas, just a few miles from the Missouri and Oklahoma borders.   Since 1969, the town has celebrated their fall festival with Columbus Days, which is on the weekend prior to  -- you guessed it – Columbus Day!   The weekend is filled with all sorts of activities:  an art and craft fair, kite flying, quilt show, bean feed, pancake feed, farm heritage show, car/motorcycle show, basketball tourney, pickleball tourney, all sorts of kids activities, and other entertainment. 

The highlight of the festival is the Columbus Hot Air Balloon Regatta. The event has been going strong since 1989 and currently features several hot air balloons with a balloon glow on Friday evening at dark. Balloon lauches are also held on Saturday and Sunday mornings (sunrise) and Saturday, assuming that the weather cooperates. Parking for the event is just $5, and the parking pass is good for ALL of the balloon events.

According to the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, most of the pilots except two have been with  Columbus Hot Air Balloon Regatta for 20-25 years.   The pilots enjoy coming to the area because the get a personal touch.  The pilots stay with host families in the community, and they stay with the same family from the time they started.  Some pilots have even come back for weddings and graduations in the area.   It’s a wonderful small-town event!

The Columbus Hot Air Balloon Regatta won’t ever compete with the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival in terms of overall numbers of balloons or pilots. Yet, when it comes to charm and hospitality, the community around Columbus cannot be beat.

Check out the video to see some of these amazing balloons in action!