There’s always something magical and slightly unreal about seeing a hot air balloon drifting through the sky. The Monroe Hot Air Festival is like coming upon a whole herd of unicorns in their native habitat. While there is plenty of hustle and bustle around the edges – concessions, music, games – the balloons don’t put on a show, per se. They fill, they lift off, they land. And it simply mesmerizing and wildly colorful. Bring a lawn chair, settle in with a pile of fried junk and cotton candy and gape to your heart’s content.

Monroe Balloon Festival
Fairgrounds – 2600 10th St.
Monroe, WI 53566
https://www.facebook.com/balloonrally/