SIKESTON HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

Sunday, June 18, 2023

The inaugural Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival was held June 16-18 at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. Throughout the event, there were arts and crafts vendors, beer and wine garden and food trucks and inflatables for children. Tethered balloon rides were offered and a balloon glow Saturday night followed by live music.

Hot air balloons are seen lit up Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Rod Anderson/Standard Democrat)
Hot air balloons are seen Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Rod Anderson/Standard Democrat)
A hot air balloon is seen Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Rod Anderson/Standard Democrat)
A hot air balloon is seen Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Rod Anderson/Standard Democrat)

A hot air balloon is seen Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Rod Anderson/Standard Democrat)
A hot air balloon is seen Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Rod Anderson/Standard Democrat)
Hot air balloons are seen lit up Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Rod Anderson/Standard Democrat)
A hot air balloon is seen close up Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Rod Anderson/Standard Democrat)
Hot air balloons are seen lit up Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Rod Anderson/Standard Democrat)
Hot air balloons are seen lit up Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Daniel Byrd Photo )
Hot air balloons are seen lit up Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Daniel Byrd Photo )
A young attendee interacts with the band and audience around 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, 202, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Mark Madigan Photo)
A young attendee interacts with the band and audience around 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, 202, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Mark Madigan Photo)
A hot air balloon is seen close up Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Gina Williams/Standard Democrat)
Youth enjoy the bounce houses Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Gina Williams/Standard Democrat)
Attendees on Saturday, June 17, 2023, enjoy the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Gina Williams/Standard Democrat)
A band performs Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Gina Williams/Standard Democrat)
A hot air balloon is seen close up Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Gina Williams/Standard Democrat)
Hot air balloons are seen close up Saturday, June 17, 2023, during the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. (Gina Williams/Standard Democrat)