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Massive Balloons, Golden Knights, and a Jeep Show? This NC Park is Going Epic in May.

Posted on by Destination Magazine Food & Travel Creative Team
Massive Balloons, Golden Knights, and a Jeep Show? This NC Park is Going Epic in May.

Soar into a sky-high patriotic bash! Massive balloons, parachute stunts, and live jams—all to celebrate America’s 250th and our heroes.

Burlington, NC
April, 2026

The 2026 ALCOVETS Balloon Festival is set for May 8-10 at Cedarock Park, bringing a high-energy, sky-high adventure to the North Carolina horizon. Be prepared to be awestruck as massive, colorful balloons drift gracefully over Burlington. The patriotic spirit soars even higher with a breathtaking display from the Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration team streaking through the clouds. But the excitement isn’t just in the air, it’s everywhere on the ground, too! Families can dive into non-stop fun, from the thunderous Car & Jeep Show to the high-tech marvel of Radio Control aircraft demonstrations. Your ears are in for a treat with a powerhouse lineup of live music headliners, including Jordan Pickett, Megan Doss, Clint Horton, and Dalton Davis.

There’s an adventure waiting for every age, featuring: Tethered balloon rides, a bustling KidsZone, live Police K-9 Demo, and a heart-pounding 5K race if you’re into that sort of thing.

Best of all, every memory you make helps support our nation’s heroes, as all proceeds go directly to supporting our Veterans. Grab your family, fuel your patriotic pride, and join ALCOVETS for the ultimate 250th birthday bash for America! Get ready to look to the skies! 

alcovets.org/balloon-festival

alcovets.org/balloon-festival

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Destination Magazine Food & Travel Creative Team

Think of us as your digital tour guides with a serious design addiction. At The Destination Magazine, our creative team has spent over 40 years mastering the art of the “wish you were here” feeling. We’ve traded city traffic for scenic routes and cubicles for wide-open spaces, all to prove that the best stories aren’t found on a screen—they’re found down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. We’ve gotten so good at making rural look radical that we were even named an Adobe Success Story. Apparently, our layout and design techniques are officially “the gold standard,” but we just like to think of it as making sure the local hidden gems get the spotlight they deserve. Whether it’s a tiny mountain town or a coastal secret, we use our four decades of design magic to make sure you’re inspired to pack a bag, grab your keys, and go find some fresh air.