Balloons Over Bavarian Inn

YES – there will have TWO Balloon Glow locations each night, Friday, Saturday & Sunday (all inflating at 9pm for one hour). TWO (2) hot air balloons will glow at the Bavarian Inn Lodge front lawn. The Frankenmuth Credit Union Event Field at Frankenmuth River Place Shops (Due south of the Lodge) will have app. 13 balloons glowing each night (different mix each night). All will inflate around 9pm (assuming calm winds) until about 10pm. On Sunday night fireworks will be shot off over Zehnder’s parking lot area and viewable from around downtown Frankenmuth & our glow fields at 10:00pm.

Generally speaking children five and over will do well and enjoy a Hot Air Balloon Ride. Young children must always be riding with a parent who can control and comfort them. If a child is “at all” afraid, they should not ride. Please keep in mind the Burners are hot and make a loud sound, so if your child is timid or afraid of loud sounds it may be better to wait until they are older.

YES

Many factors go into the total amount of people we can carry including outside temperature and weight of each individual. Typically we can accommodate four adults weighing 180 pounds or less OR a maximum of about 700 pounds. It can be a family or a group of friends. Also, since children are generally smaller in size and weigh less, we may be able to accommodate a larger number.

There are 25 balloons holding a competition in flight over Frankenmuth all weekend. They do not have a predetermined launch or landing site. So enjoy them in the air!

YES, Magic Clouds Balloon Corporation is taking ONE morning flight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (approximately 6:00 am!). The typical price for shared flight is $400 / person for up to 4 individuals with the pilot. All flights will be about 45 minutes to an hour – depending on landing locations and availability. All flights are weather permitting. The entire experience from inflation to landing could be up to 3 hours. Family members are welcome to follow the chase vehicle & crew in their own vehicle(s) to see them land and help pack up the balloon. For a potential flight go to www.bcballoonrides.com and click on book flights, then hit the hamburger button (3 lines) in top corner of screen and choose Frankenmuth, Mi flights. (Mobile directions) You can reserve or chat with them online. There are no long evening flights since the balloon will do tethered rides from 6:00 until just before dark.

A balloon flight is usually a 2-3 hour experience from helping the pilot and crew to inflate the balloon, flying for 45 minutes to a little over an hour and landing in a down-wind location from where you started. A “Chase Crew” follows your flight path and helps you pack up at the end of the experience. For a private ride pricing and availability, please visit www.BCBalloonRides.com

A tethered ride is a shorter experience where a Hot Air Balloon is anchored to the ground. You go up about 50 to 60 feet in the air for approximately a 5-minute experience. You will have an FAA certified pilot in the balloon basket. This is a great way to see the sights and sounds around Frankenmuth and get a small sample of flying in a Hot Air Balloon. The tether ride will be available for $30.00 per adult and $15 per child (12 & under)

Rain, Thunder & lightning causes all hot air balloons to be grounded. In addition, moderate winds also cause a tethered balloon to be grounded for the safety of our passengers, pilots, and crewmembers.

On May 23, 24 & 25th, the tethered balloon rides will happen on the West corner of Bavarian Inn Lodge (adjacent to the peacock cage). If winds are mild, rides may start at 6:00 PM or slightly earlier.

Yes, the Tethered Rides are being offered in front of Bavarian Inn Lodge. We will have 2 Tethered Balloons on Friday night, 3 Tethered Balloons on Saturday, and 3 on Sunday!