Not only does Helen, Georgia, have the South’s oldest balloon fest, it has the only long-distance balloon fest in the United States. And it is quite a spectacle to see!
Mark your calendar, the 43rd Annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival is coming June 2-4, 2016. 
The race begins in Helen and finishes at I-95, somewhere between Maine and Miami. Or, as the fine folks of Helen like to say, “From the center of the world to the edge of the earth.” The winner is the first balloon to cross over I-95 or the lead balloon at sunset on July 3, 2016. The shortest distance is 225 miles, and though the distance has been done in one day, the average race time is two days.
Six balloons will be competing this year in a test of skill and a bit of luck. In addition to wind speed and direction, Helen’s setting in the mountains adds to challenge. It’s a test of the pilots’ and crews’ skills to see who comes in ahead.
In addition to the race balloons, approximately 20-25 balloons will be taking off closer to home all three days. For guests who would like to get a hands-on experience, there will be opportunities to assist with inflating the balloons or being part of the chase crew following them. If you’d like to take to the sky, you can schedule a champagne balloon flight. Sipping bubbly while passing over stunning mountain vistas is definitely a Georgia mountain high!
43rd Annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival
June 2-4, 2016
Launch field location: across the river from Cool River Tubing. Ask us at the Inn and we’ll be happy to give you directions.
Thursday
7:00 a.m., lift-off for the race
6:30 p.m., local balloon event
Friday
7:00 a.m., local balloon event
6:30 p.m., local balloon event
Saturday
7:00 a.m., local balloon event
6:30 p.m., local balloon event
7:30 p.m., tethered balloon rides for the public
Back down on terra firma, Lucilles’s offers a spectacular setting from which to view the balloons. Plan to stay with us for the weekend and you can enjoy the colorful show from the comfort of our deck.