Vermillionaire is an annual hot air balloon event held in Vermilion, Ohio. It typically takes place over a weekend in mid-September and features hot air balloon launches, live music, food vendors, and other family-friendly activities. Vermillionaire has become a beloved community tradition that attracts visitors from across Ohio and beyond. Many people wonder if Vermillionaire is an annual event that comes back every year. The short answer is yes, Vermillionaire is an annual hot air balloon festival that has taken place in Vermilion every September since 1987.
History of Vermillionaire
Vermillionaire was founded in 1987 by a group of local pilots and enthusiasts who wanted to bring a hot air balloon festival to the Vermilion area. The first Vermillionaire featured just a handful of hot air balloons launching from Vermilion Regional Airport. It was a modest event but was well-received by the community. Encouraged by the success of the inaugural festival, the organizers decided to make Vermillionaire an annual event.
Over the years, Vermillionaire continued to grow in popularity and scale. More hot air balloon pilots and vendors became involved, attendance numbers increased, and additional entertainment and activities were added to the schedule. By the early 2000s, Vermillionaire had evolved into a major regional festival attracting tens of thousands of visitors over the weekend. While the event has continued to expand, Vermillionaire has remained committed to its small-town charm and community focus.
Key Milestones
- 1987 – First Vermillionaire held with a few hot air balloons
- Early 1990s – Music acts and food vendors added to enhance festival entertainment
- 2000s – Attendance grows exponentially as event gains popularity
- 2010s – Vermillionaire becomes one of Ohio’s premier hot air balloon events
Vermillionaire has continued to take place each September, serving as a treasured community tradition for over 30 years.
Event Details
Vermillionaire takes place every September, typically over a weekend in the middle of the month. The exact dates vary from year to year, but the event is always held on a Saturday and Sunday.
Location
The festival is held at multiple locations around the Vermilion area, with most key activities centered around Vermilion Regional Airport and Victory Park. This allows balloons to launch safely from the open areas of the airport while keeping the main entertainment consolidated at Victory Park.
Main Attractions
Vermillionaire offers a full schedule of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages, including:
- Hot Air Balloon Launches – The highlight of the festival is watching dozens of vibrant hot air balloons launch into the early morning and late afternoon sky over Vermilion.
- Balloon Glows – At night, balloon pilots fire up the burners to illuminate balloons from within, creating a magical “balloon glow.”
- Live Music – Local and regional bands perform rock, country, blues, and other genres on multiple stages.
- Kids’ Activities – Crafts, carnival games, face painting, balloon twister artists, and inflatables keep younger visitors entertained.
- Food Vendors – An assortment of food trucks, trailers, and tents offer festival favorites like elephant ears, kettle corn, and funnel cakes.
Schedule
While each year’s schedule varies slightly, Vermillionaire generally follows this timeline:
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Early Morning | Hot air balloon launches |
| Late Morning | Kids’ activities, music, shopping vendors |
| Afternoon | More hot air balloon launches |
| Early Evening | “Balloon Glow” |
| Evening | Headlining music act performs |
Visitors who want to catch the stunning hot air balloon launches should plan to arrive very early in the morning or late afternoon when winds are typically calmest.
Recurrence Every September
One key question people have is whether Vermillionaire occurs every year without fail. The answer is yes – the festival has taken place for over 30 consecutive years every September.
Vermillionaire organizers remain deeply committed to keeping the festival an annual community tradition. Barring any extreme or unforeseen circumstances, Vermillionaire will return the middle weekend of September each year.
Some key points about the festival’s recurrences:
- Has taken place every September since founding in 1987
- Consistent date allows regular visitors to plan trips and accommodations
- Considered an iconic annual event for the Vermilion community
- Major source of tourism and revenue for local businesses
- Event production partners ensure seamless continuity each year
While small details may evolve, Vermillionaire maintains the same delightful atmosphere year after year.
Cancelations and Changes
In over 30 years, Vermillionaire has never had to be outright canceled. The festival has occurred during rainy weather and pushed through any logistical challenges over its history.
That said, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted many events worldwide in 2020. Vermillionaire was modified to a smaller community event in 2020 with social distancing measures in place. This demonstrated the organizers’ commitment to keeping the festival alive even during unprecedented circumstances. By 2021, Vermillionaire was able to resume at its full capacity.
Barring another major situation, Vermillionaire is expected to continue as an annual September tradition for the community. The organizers thoughtfully evolve the event each year to bring new surprises while retaining its signature charm and appeal.
Future Outlook
The future looks bright for Vermillionaire as an enduring annual event. As long as community enthusiasm remains strong, the necessary partners and sponsors continue to support the festival, and appropriate local resources are available, Vermillionaire is likely to occur each September for years to come.
Here are some factors that support Vermillionaire’s future as a sustainable annual event:
Committed Organizers and Volunteers
It takes a dedicated cohort of organizers, planners, and volunteers to execute a major festival year after year. Vermillionaire benefits from having an experienced event production team and passionate local volunteers who contribute their time and skills. This collective commitment to keeping the festival alive is a huge asset for the future.
Strong Community Support
Vermillion has wholeheartedly embraced Vermillionaire as a signature community event. Local businesses and partners provide funding support each year. Residents volunteer their time and welcome the tourism dollars the festival brings to the area. This broad community backing will help Vermillionaire thrive for years to come.
Profitability
While Vermillionaire has nonprofit community goals, the festival itself is profitable. Wise financial management and sponsorship deals allow Vermillionaire to generate revenue that funds the next year’s event. This self-sustaining business model allows the festival to continue on an annual basis.
Established Brand Recognition
Over three decades, Vermillionaire has become a recognizable regional brand. It has established itself as one of the Midwest’s premier hot air balloon festivals. This strong brand and reputation make it easier to attract sponsors, vendors, and visitors year after year.
Barring an unforeseen situation, Vermillionaire has all the ingredients needed to continue its reign as an annual September tradition for Vermilion and hot air balloon enthusiasts. It has become a staple on Ohio’s festival calendar that is poised to return each fall for years to come.
Conclusion
In summary, Vermillionaire is an annual hot air balloon festival that takes place every September in Vermilion, Ohio. Since its founding in 1987, Vermillionaire has occurred each year over a weekend in mid-September without cancellations or interruptions. The festival has grown to become one of Ohio’s most popular balloon events attracting thousands of visitors. While small details may change, Vermillionaire’s core features like the hot air balloon launches, live music, food vendors and family activities remain consistent. Given the dedicated organizers, strong community support, self-funding model and stellar brand reputation, Vermillionaire is expected to return each September for the foreseeable future. For hot air balloon fans, the middle weekend in September is a perfect time to plan a visit to Vermilion to enjoy this iconic annual event.
