Join us for the 41st annual Natchez Balloon Festival on October 16-17, 2026. Mirroring the lengthy history of the city, festival grounds are located at Rosalie Mansion's high bluffs above the Mississippi River. Live, world-class musical entertainment keeps feet moving while hot air balloons drift silently overhead. In addition to the breathtaking location, a carnival and Arts and Crafts market make the Natchez Balloon Festival one of the most family-friendly events in the state.
*Weather permitting, balloon flights will take place:
Friday - morning
Saturday - morning and afternoon
Sunday - morning and afternoon
*NOTE: Hot air balloons do not take off from or land at the festival site. Their launching and landing locations are not known until time for the flight and are based on weather conditions at the time.
Balloon Race Pilot Winners
1986 - Bill Cunningham
1987 - Bert Carolla
1988 - Bill Cunningham
1989 - Bill Whidden
1990 - Pat Canon
1991 - Harold "Bubba" Cliver
1992 - Bruce Comstock
1993 - Mark Bowie
1994 - Bruce Bussey
1995 - Pat Canon
1996 - Bill Cunningham
1997 - Bill Bussey
1998 - Jim Birk
1999 - Phil Glebe
2000 - Stephen Guido
2001 - Will LaPoint
2002 - John Wade
2003 - Brian Rohr
2004 - Gary Jones
2005 - Sam Edwards
2006 - Mark Bowie
2007 - George Richard
2008 - Joe Heartsill
2009 - Glen Smith
2010 - Tom Oberheide
2011 - Jim Birk
2012 - Steve Jones
2013 - Mark Daniel
2014 - Pat Canon
2015 - NA*
2016 - Anthony Seeger
2017 - Bruce Bussey
2018 - NA*
* unable to fly due to weather
Steckler Award Winners
2000 - The Stecklers
2001 - Peter Burns
2002 - Don Gardner
2003 - Laura and Ed Godfrey
2004 - Sally Durkin
2005 - Charles Feltus
2006 - Ralph "Trippy" Shields
2007 - Babs Price
2008 - Ken Price
2009 - Stephen Guido
2010 - Suzan Hogue
2011 - David Cauthen
2012 - Melody Fuqua
2013 - Rick Freeman
2014 - Sharon and John Goodrich
2015 - Maria Lambert
2016 - Chris Trippe
2017 - Rachel Lott
2018 - Scott Adams
2019 - Sam Kirby
2020 - No Award Presented
2021 - Mimi and Ron Miller
2022 - Curtis Moroney
2023 - Kim Falkenheiner
2024 - James Biglane (posthumous)
2025 - Tate Hobdy