Ninth Annual FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival offers free concerts, admission

  • Morgan and Gage Bullard, of Edmond, swing and toss two of their three children, ages 1, 3 and 4, as Oklahoma Line performs "Before I Met You" on Friday night, Aug. 7, during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival. Kaleb Austin and Austin Snell also performed at the festival on Aug. 8 at the CPN Festival Grounds in Shawnee. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
    Morgan and Gage Bullard, of Edmond, swing and toss two of their three children, ages 1, 3 and 4, as Oklahoma Line performs "Before I Met You" on Friday night, Aug. 7, during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival. Kaleb Austin and Austin Snell also performed at the festival on Aug. 8 at the CPN Festival Grounds in Shawnee. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
  • Around 15 hot-air balloons from Oklahoma and surrounding states participated in the balloon glow on Friday night, Aug. 7, during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival. This year, they allowed the public to walk among the balloons during the glow.
    Around 15 hot-air balloons from Oklahoma and surrounding states participated in the balloon glow on Friday night, Aug. 7, during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival. This year, they allowed the public to walk among the balloons during the glow.
  • Two hot-air balloons light their fires, as two children play with light-up toys, during the balloon glow on Friday night, Aug. 7, during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival.
    Two hot-air balloons light their fires, as two children play with light-up toys, during the balloon glow on Friday night, Aug. 7, during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival.
  • The Automobilia and More Swap Meet was new to the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival this year and was held in FireLake Arena on Aug. 7-8. It featured memorabilia, toy cars, car parts, neon signs, crafts and lots of other items for sale.
    The Automobilia and More Swap Meet was new to the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival this year and was held in FireLake Arena on Aug. 7-8. It featured memorabilia, toy cars, car parts, neon signs, crafts and lots of other items for sale.
  • Noah, 6, and Mila, 5, enjoy learning about a Bethel Acres Fire Rescue engine, as Patience, 3, heads back to her stroller, and mother Donna Bennett, all of Tecumseh, and firefighter Orrin Beckham watch during the Touch A Truck portion of the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 8. Shawnee Fire Department, Brown and Sons Towing and Recovery, and others also brought their vehicles.
    Noah, 6, and Mila, 5, enjoy learning about a Bethel Acres Fire Rescue engine, as Patience, 3, heads back to her stroller, and mother Donna Bennett, all of Tecumseh, and firefighter Orrin Beckham watch during the Touch A Truck portion of the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 8. Shawnee Fire Department, Brown and Sons Towing and Recovery, and others also brought their vehicles.
  • Austin Snell, of Nashville, and his band performs at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival Aug. 8.
    Austin Snell, of Nashville, and his band performs at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival Aug. 8.
  • Austin Snell, of Nashville, and his band performs at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival Aug. 8.
    Austin Snell, of Nashville, and his band performs at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival Aug. 8.
  • The drone show on Aug. 7 featured a waving "Despicable Me" minion during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival.
    The drone show on Aug. 7 featured a waving "Despicable Me" minion during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival.
  • Around 15 hot-air balloons from Oklahoma and surrounding states participated in the balloon glow on Friday night, Aug. 7, during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival. This year, they allowed the public to walk among the balloons during the glow.
    Around 15 hot-air balloons from Oklahoma and surrounding states participated in the balloon glow on Friday night, Aug. 7, during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival. This year, they allowed the public to walk among the balloons during the glow.
  • Oklahoma Line, formerly the Jody Schmidt Band, performs "Simple Man" on Friday night, Aug. 7, during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival. The bluegrass and country band will play the Bluegrass and Chili Festival in Tahlequah next on Sept. 12. Kaleb Austin and Austin Snell also performed at the festival on Aug. 8 at the CPN Festival Grounds in Shawnee.
    Oklahoma Line, formerly the Jody Schmidt Band, performs "Simple Man" on Friday night, Aug. 7, during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival. The bluegrass and country band will play the Bluegrass and Chili Festival in Tahlequah next on Sept. 12. Kaleb Austin and Austin Snell also performed at the festival on Aug. 8 at the CPN Festival Grounds in Shawnee.
  • "Champagne Cowboy" owned by Dennis Short of Broken Arrow, participated in the balloon glow on Friday night, Aug. 7.
    "Champagne Cowboy" owned by Dennis Short of Broken Arrow, participated in the balloon glow on Friday night, Aug. 7.
  • Despite the heat, children and teens enjoyed the carnival rides and inflatables during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 7 and 8. Armbands were sold, but there was also a free splash pad and petting zoo.
    Despite the heat, children and teens enjoyed the carnival rides and inflatables during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 7 and 8. Armbands were sold, but there was also a free splash pad and petting zoo.
  • Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
    Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
  • Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
    Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
  • Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
    Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
  • Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
    Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
  • Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
    Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
  • Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
    Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
  • Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
    Aug. 7 Balloon Glow
  • Aug. 7 Drone Show
    Aug. 7 Drone Show
  • A flapping, red-white-and-blue bald eagle was the culmination of the drone show, featuring 200 drones from Texas, during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 7.
    A flapping, red-white-and-blue bald eagle was the culmination of the drone show, featuring 200 drones from Texas, during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 7.
  • Austin Snell, of Nashville, and his band performs at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival Aug. 8.
    Austin Snell, of Nashville, and his band performs at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival Aug. 8.
  • Oklahoma Line performs a tribute.
    Oklahoma Line performs a tribute.
  • The Bullard family has fun while Oklahoma Line plays.
    The Bullard family has fun while Oklahoma Line plays.

    Check out all of the photos from the festival by clicking on the Countywide & Sun camera banner ad!