The skies over Fuquay-Varina will be filled with dozens of hot air balloons this weekend as the WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest gets off the ground.

You won’t want to miss this annual event which runs Friday through Monday at Fleming Loop Park. It includes tethered balloon rides, competition flights, mass ascensions, and lots of other high-flying activities.

Even if your feet stay planted on ground, you can enjoy live music, Frisbee-fetching dogs, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and the beer garden.

Project Uplift uses a custom-built hot air balloon basket commissioned through a program underwritten by the Raleigh Jaycees.

Tethered balloon rides are $20, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the year-round outreach programs of Project Uplift USA. Some pilots offer full balloon flights, but these must be arranged ahead of time by contacting the pilot directly. Generally these are available at $300 per person.

Project Uplift provides hot air balloon experiences to military veterans and their families, promotes science education through ballooning, and honors those who have died in service to our nation.

Visitors are invited to help with this last goal by purchasing flags at $3 each. Organizers hope to fill a reflecting area at Fleming Loop Park with 10,000 flags. On Memorial Day, volunteers will take the flags to cemeteries, military monuments, and VA nursing facilities. All proceeds of flag sales go to AMVETS Service Foundation.

More than 80,000 visitors are expected to attend the weekend event, so allow plenty of time to get there. For more fest info, including parking details, see wralfreedomballoonfest.com. You can also download Project Uplift’s event app to your phone!