Freer Field — Attraction in Ashland

Freer Field is the host to the annual Balloon Fest in July. This event hosts balloon pilots from across the nation to dazzle the locals. Balloon glows as well as launches are held when weather permits. If there is a breeze large enough to blow the leaves on a tree the balloons will probably not go up or glow. Safety is the number one issue. In place of the glow you may see a candlestick event wherein they light up the night to rock music with the theme of fire. Games and rides are available for little ones. Vendors are there with lots of foods. One suggestion from me would be to have another restroom area as to aid in the distance to travel with a toddler. Great event - rides, games and food cost - all else is...

Although this is an area that seems to have a lot of special events, there are no canopies or trees or anything to protect you from the glaring sun. I took a 3-minute walk and ended up five shades darker 🤣😂 There are a few picnic benches and a walking track. I happened to visit while they were having a balloon fest, but it was as if people were just trying to find shade to cool down, and the only spot to do that is right next to the visitor center. In the context of ballooning, kite flying, droning or anything aerial it's a great place! If you just want to hang out and watch the grass cook during the summer, I suppose this would be a great place for that too. I did see some pretty cool...

Parking was terrible. In a field with mud ruts, not appropriate for any vehicle that wasn't high profile. No allowances for handicapped. No consistency on exiting either. It was readily apparent to anyone familiar with hot air ballooning that the event wasn't going to occur. No participant was had out their fabric laid out for inflation. The announcement of the cancellation was not made until most of them had loaded up and left the event. It should have been labeled basket event not balloon fest. Plenty of paid activities for children and food. 6 Port-A-Potties were not enough for the amount of people, none were a...