Balloon festival this weekend at store

The Sweetly Kismet Candy Store is hosting a hot air balloon festival this weekend. Gates open at 4 p.m. until after the "night glow" display both Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14. The candy store property is located behind the Kwik Trip near the intersection of Highway 210 and Interstate 35.

This year's event will include food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, hay rides, a ventriloquist, pilot meet and greet, a candy drop for kids, along with music and lights for the night after dark when the balloons are brightly lit by the flames that create the hot air to power them. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for seniors and kids age 3 and older, and free for kids age 2 and under. Weather is always a factor with hot air balloons. Sweetly Kismet co-owner and balloon pilot Jon Parrott said they will display, tether and fly if surface and upper winds are at safe speeds under 6 mph.