From ROSSFORD CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
The 2026 Rossford Balloon & Fireworks Fest – America 250 will return Friday through Sunday, July 17 – 19, with a new location, an expanded schedule, and three days celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Admission is free and open to the public.
The festival will be held on the southeast corner of Crossroads Parkway and Bass Pro Boulevard in Rossford, just south of Toledo at the intersection of Interstate 75 and the Ohio Turnpike (Exit 64).
“This year’s festival has something for every generation,” said Beth Genson, executive director of the Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. “From colorful hot air balloons and spectacular fireworks to live music, family activities, Heritage Day, and great food, we invite everyone to come celebrate with us.”
Parking and arrival
Because this year’s event is at a new location, guests are encouraged to follow directional signage upon arrival.
- $10 event parking is available adjacent to the festival grounds.
- Free parking is available at the Crossroads Shopping Centre on Ohio 20, with complimentary shuttle service provided by Rossford Schools throughout the event.
The festival will be held outdoors in a grassy field, so guests are invited to bring lawn chairs.
Attendees should note that outside food, beverages, and coolers are not permitted. Only service animals will be allowed.
Friday and Saturday nights: Balloons, music, and fireworks
Festival hours are 5 – 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The event will begin at 5 p.m. with pilot meet and greets, where visitors can meet the balloon pilots and collect commemorative hot air balloon trading cards, sponsored by Laramie & Sons Cards & Collectibles.
At approximately 6:30 p.m., colorful hot air balloons will ascend into the evening sky, weather permitting, followed by a “Balloon Glow” at 9 p.m. and a pyro-musical fireworks spectacular at 10 p.m., featuring synchronized aerial and ground effects choreographed to music, sponsored by the city of Rossford.
Live entertainment includes:
Friday
- Amelia Airharts
- North of Nashville
Saturday
- Arctic Clam
- Distant Cousinz
Families can enjoy the kid’s activity area, open 5 – 9 p.m., all three days, featuring bounce houses, carnival games, circus performers, face painting, balloon artists, and more. Wristbands are required.
The kid’s activity area is sponsored by Meijer Rossford and Spitler Huffman LLP.
Experience the festival like a VIP
A limited number of VIP tickets are available for Friday and Saturday evenings.
For $50, guests receive:
- Private parking
- Reserved tented seating on the balloon field
- One tethered hot air balloon ride
- Snacks and bottled water
- A commemorative goodie bag
- A front-row viewing of the balloon ascensions, Balloon Glow, and pyro-musical fireworks
VIP tickets are available online at https://rossfordbff.com/.
New: Heritage Day – America 250
Heritage Day – America 250 will debut on Sunday, July 19, from 2 – 10 p.m., celebrating the many cultures and traditions that have shaped the community and nation. Visitors can enjoy homemade pierogi, kielbasa and sauerkraut, chicken paprikas, kolachy, nut rolls, and many other Eastern European treats.
Sponsored by Medical Mutual/Paramount, the Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation, and the Cultural Arts Fund of Wood County, Heritage Day features an afternoon and evening of entertainment for the entire family.
Highlights include:
- 2 p.m. – Ukrainian Kolomeyka dance group
- 2 – 4 p.m. – Great American Paint-Off, America the Beautiful, featuring 12 local artists creating original works before attendees’ eyes
- 4 p.m. – Live auction of all Paint-Off artwork, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Toledo Helps Ukraine
- 3 – 5 p.m. – Randy Krajewski & Badinov Polka Band
- 5:15 p.m. – Native American musical performance
- 6 p.m. – Thomas Jefferson portrayed by nationally-recognized Chautauqua performer Jeremy Meier
- 7 – 9 p.m. – Madison Avenue Band
- 9:30 p.m. – Patriotic America 250 drone show
100 Years of Cars Show
Car enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the 100 Years of Cars Show, 1920s – 2020s, from 2 – 5 p.m., on Sunday, in the parking lot of the Carpenters Union hall, 9278 Bass Pro Blvd., Rossford.
Sponsored by the Millbury Classic Cars & Trucks Museum, the show includes:
- Dash plaques for the first 200 vehicles
- People’s Choice awards
- 50/50 raffle
- Prize drawings
- No registration fee
Participants should enter Bass Pro Boulevard from Lime City Road and may begin arriving at 1:30 p.m.
For additional information about the cruise-in, contact the Millbury Classic Cars & Trucks Museum.
Food, fun, & family entertainment
Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy:
- More than 20 food trucks sponsored by Hollywood Casino Toledo
- Beer garden sponsored by YaYa Smiles
- Tethered hot air balloon rides sponsored by Cutting Edge Countertops and Renewal by Andersen
- Digital signage sponsored by The Meadows of Perrysburg
- Vendors, exhibitors, live music, family activities, and more
For the complete schedule, festival program, VIP tickets, maps, parking information, and additional sponsors, visit https://rossfordbff.com/. The program guide can be found at https://designrr.page/?d=508376&token=1996844639&type=FP&h=5622.
