As helicopters and hot air balloons flew high in the sky, an abundance of booths, vendors and hot rods garnered attraction on the ground at this year’s Balloon A-Fair festival. 

The main attraction of the fair, hot air balloons, did not show up until later in the evening each day. Attendees could vote on which balloon was their favorite each night. 

Friday held a balloon glow at dusk where attendees could see the glowing balloons throughout the night sky. Balloons could be spotted Saturday and Sunday dotting the Ravenna and Kent skies as the wind blew them around. 

The four-day fair featured two parades in downtown Ravenna. First, was a children’s parade on Thursday and Saturday’s parade featured displays, a children’s alley designed for kids, food and live music. 

Most of the fair took place at Sunbeau Valley Farm across the four days. The venue held a host of attractions outside of the hot air balloons like local vendors, a mechanical bull, food stands and live music. 

Situated far away from the balloons was an axe-throwing tent, a new addition to the fair this year. Up in the sky, Spiker Helicopters was also offering rides while steering clear of any balloons sharing the airspace. 

The fair was not limited to just balloons however, there was a large car show in conjunction over the weekend. Patrons could find everything from classic cars to modern race cars, including a Cleveland Browns themed car.

In addition to the cars, a wide variety of Jeep vehicles were on display at the Jeep Show that took place on the third day. Proud Jeep owners submitted their vehicles before entering to see who’s Jeep could smash cars the best. 

As people were high and low, there was no shortage of live music at the events this weekend. The Saturday parade featured bands like The Circulators, No Way Out, Changes, Jah Messenger Reggae and Blue Cadillac. Children’s alley hosted Magic by Kel and the Girls with Scales Reptile Show. 

At Sunbeau Valley Farm, bands rocked the night away on the venue’s amphitheater stage. Playing was Overboard: The Love Boat Band on Friday, the Bluewater Kings Band on Saturday, and Disco Inferno on Sunday. 

Flanking the music stage were many vendors like Thirty-one, Damsel in Defense and Spill Proof Liquid where art, accessories and protective gear was all being sold. 

“I make handmade art and I thrift stuff too,” said Sarah Lacey, owner of Spill Proof Liquid. “It’s a fun mish-mash.” 

Lacey said it was her first time at the festival and that she had never seen a hot air balloon. 

The crowded tents were not exclusively for local vendors. Darla Ball, a safety educator, was there representing Damsel in Defense, a national organization that aims to educate and support women in self-defense and eliminate sex trafficking.

“[Our] mission now is to help stop sex trafficking,” said Ball. “They have a very big mission, they have two houses overseas where they have rescued over 1,500 girls. I’ve been to craft shows [and] churches.” 

Ball sold self-defense products like pepper spray and apparel and accessories at the festival with the proceeds going towards victims of sex trafficking.

“You go talk and get your products out there and get everyone protected,” Ball said. 

Ball said that these types of events encouraged her and fellow vendors to attend the fair this year and display their products and services.

“I would love to come back next year,” Lacey said. “This has been a really cool experience to meet new people and have them come see my art.”

Andrew Bowie is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].