Michigan Challenge Balloonfest

Michigan Challenge Balloonfest The Michigan Challenge Balloonfest event in Howell is one of the premier summertime activities in Michigan!

June 24-26, 2022
Hot-air balloon competition, family fun and entertainment.

๐ŸŒŸBrad Hosmer๐ŸŽˆTarp Time๐ŸŒ„ Crew kid turned pilot! Brad Hosmer grew up near Battle Creek, MI and started crewing balloons ar...
06/02/2026

๐ŸŒŸBrad Hosmer
๐ŸŽˆTarp Time

๐ŸŒ„ Crew kid turned pilot! Brad Hosmer grew up near Battle Creek, MI and started crewing balloons around age 10, so it was really only a matter of time. He earned his private pilot certificate in 2020 and has been making his way around Michigan's balloon circuit ever since.

Now based in Oak Creek, WI, Brad is bringing Tarp Time to Howell this June 26โ€“28. The crew kid made it! ๐ŸŽˆ

โœˆ๏ธ Meet Brad and all 40 of our pilots at Michigan Challenge Balloonfest, June 26โ€“28! Tickets and full pilot roster at michiganchallenge.com.

๐Ÿฅค Staying refreshed at Balloonfest just got a whole lot easier, thanks to our Beverage Sponsor Pepsi! ๐ŸŽˆWhether you're a ...
06/02/2026

๐Ÿฅค Staying refreshed at Balloonfest just got a whole lot easier, thanks to our Beverage Sponsor Pepsi! ๐ŸŽˆ

Whether you're a first-time visitor, a seasoned balloon fan, or one of the incredible volunteers who make it all happen, there's a cold Pepsi product waiting for you all weekend long. ๐Ÿ™Œ

June 26โ€“28 | Howell High School

โžก๏ธ www.michiganchallenge.com

The apple doesn't fall far from the balloon basket. ๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒŸ Landon Kohtz๐ŸŽˆHeatwaveLandon Kohtz grew up in Michigan as the son ...
06/01/2026

The apple doesn't fall far from the balloon basket. ๐ŸŽ

๐ŸŒŸ Landon Kohtz
๐ŸŽˆHeatwave

Landon Kohtz grew up in Michigan as the son of a pilot, surrounded by balloons from the very beginning. Now he's carrying on the family tradition with his own balloon, Heatwave.

And yes, dad Keith is flying this weekend too. Keep an eye out for both Kohtz balloons in the Howell sky June 26โ€“28! ๐Ÿ‘€๐ŸŽˆ

๐ŸŽˆ Balloon: Heatwave
๐Ÿ‘‰ Rest of pilots & tickets: https://michiganchallenge.com/

Congratulations to everyone who immediately noticed our photo mix-up. ๐Ÿ˜‚๐ŸŽˆYou passed the test.(Or maybe our social media t...
05/31/2026

Congratulations to everyone who immediately noticed our photo mix-up. ๐Ÿ˜‚๐ŸŽˆ

You passed the test.

(Or maybe our social media team just wanted to make sure that you're paying attention. We'll never tell....๐Ÿ˜‰

Now that we've successfully identified who is NOT Chris Smart, let's meet the real Chris Smart...

๐ŸŒŸ Chris Smart caught the ballooning bug in 1989 and hasn't looked back, earning his commercial license by 1993 and accumulating 2,000+ flights since. He competes with his racing balloon Dream Racer, flies for Re/Max of Indiana, and puts in seasonal time with Rainbow Ryders in Albuquerque and Colorado Springs.

This weekend he's bringing Gun Lake Casino to the Howell sky. Come find him June 26โ€“28! ๐ŸŽˆ

๐Ÿ‘‰See all the balloons filling the Howell skies and grab your tickets: https://michiganchallenge.com/

Born into it. ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ.๐ŸŒŸTravis Gauthier๐ŸŽˆ Balloon: Corn NutzTravis Gauthier is one of SIX Gauthier family pilots, a Waterfor...
05/30/2026

Born into it. ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ.

๐ŸŒŸTravis Gauthier
๐ŸŽˆ Balloon: Corn Nutz

Travis Gauthier is one of SIX Gauthier family pilots, a Waterford, Michigan family where ballooning isn't just a hobby, it's a legacy passed down and carried forward with pride. ๐ŸŽˆ

Corn Nutz will be in the Howell sky June 26โ€“28, flying for the love of the sport and everyone who came before. ๐Ÿ’›

๐Ÿ‘‰ Rest of pilots & tickets: https://michiganchallenge.com/

๐ŸŽˆ 4 WEEKS from today, the skies over Howell will be FULL of hot air balloons!Are you ready?!๐Ÿ™ŒWhat are you MOST excited f...
05/29/2026

๐ŸŽˆ 4 WEEKS from today, the skies over Howell will be FULL of hot air balloons!

Are you ready?!๐Ÿ™Œ

What are you MOST excited for?!

We can't wait to see you all there!

June 26โ€“28 | Howell High School
โžก๏ธ www.michiganchallenge.com

Flying runs in the family. โšพ๐ŸŒŸRyan Duff๐ŸŽˆ7th Inning Stretchโœˆ๏ธ Ryan Duff is a second-generation pilot with roots in Albuque...
05/28/2026

Flying runs in the family. โšพ

๐ŸŒŸRyan Duff
๐ŸŽˆ7th Inning Stretch

โœˆ๏ธ Ryan Duff is a second-generation pilot with roots in Albuquerque, now representing Tyler Athletic Fields out of Toledo, Ohio โ€” a company dedicated to designing, building, and maintaining top-tier athletic fields across the country.

From great fields on the ground to great views from above. Keep an eye out for 7th Inning Stretch June 26โ€“28! ๐ŸŽˆ

๐Ÿ‘‰Meet all the pilots & grab your tickets: https://michiganchallenge.com/

๐Ÿ“ฒ Your Balloonfest HQ is in your pocket!The Michigan Balloonfest app has everything you need:๐Ÿ“ Maps & parking๐ŸŽˆ Real-time...
05/27/2026

๐Ÿ“ฒ Your Balloonfest HQ is in your pocket!

The Michigan Balloonfest app has everything you need:
๐Ÿ“ Maps & parking
๐ŸŽˆ Real-time launch updates
๐Ÿ“… Full schedule
๐Ÿ‘จโ€โœˆ๏ธ Pilot & balloon info
๐ŸšŒ Shuttle times

Find us in the iOS & Google Play App Stores โ€” search 'Michigan Balloonfest'!

Powered by Pop Daddy Snacks ๐Ÿฟ & The Willows at Howell ๐Ÿก

Here to make your day. ๐Ÿ’—๐ŸŒŸSteven Sitko๐ŸŽˆMaveryxSteven Sitko of Jackson, Michigan is on a mission: put smiles on kids' face...
05/27/2026

Here to make your day. ๐Ÿ’—

๐ŸŒŸSteven Sitko
๐ŸŽˆMaveryx

Steven Sitko of Jackson, Michigan is on a mission: put smiles on kids' faces and warm the hearts of everyone in the crowd. Active in the ballooning community, he's helped organize the Jackson Hot Air Jubilee and spent three years helping spearhead the U.S. Women's Nationals in Jackson.

Oh, and he flies what may arguably be the prettiest pink balloon in the country. ๐Ÿฉท
Look for Maveryx in the Howell sky June 26โ€“28, you really can't miss it.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Rest of pilots & tickets: https://michiganchallenge.com/

Warning: his enthusiasm may spread. ๐Ÿ˜„Meet- ๐ŸŒŸKen Draughn๐ŸŽˆXtremely ContagiousKen Draughn brings energy, joy, and a whole l...
05/26/2026

Warning: his enthusiasm may spread. ๐Ÿ˜„

Meet-
๐ŸŒŸKen Draughn
๐ŸŽˆXtremely Contagious

Ken Draughn brings energy, joy, and a whole lot of heart to every launch. The name Xtremely Contagious isn't just a balloon, it's a vibe. From the moment he hits the launch field, Ken has a way of pulling everyone in and making the whole experience bigger and better.

Consider yourself warned. ๐ŸŽˆ June 26โ€“28!

๐Ÿ‘‰ Meet the rest of our 2026 pilots & snag your tickets: https://michiganchallenge.com/

Address

1200 W Grand River Avenue
Howell, MI
48843

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Michigan Challenge Balloonfest posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Michigan Challenge Balloonfest:

Share

Category