Staffers work to inflate a hot air balloon Aug. 27 at Sequim Valley Airport. The first Sequim Balloon Festival officially kicks off at 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Sequim Valley Airport. Head of the volunteer crew is Foster Dean Norman (at right, in yellow shirt). Sequim Gazette photo by Marcus Oden

Sequim Balloon Festival schedule of events:
• Friday, Aug. 31 Pre-event
7 p.m. — Rare Earth tickets sold separately, doors open at 5:30 p.m. at festival site.

• Saturday, Sept. 1
6 a.m. — Balloon Trekkers Balloon Rides, Sequim Valley Airport, the only event at the Carlsborg airport, 468 Dorothy Hunt Lane.
All other events are staged at the festival location off West Sequim Bay Road.
8 a.m.-4 p.m. — Balloon Walk (5K, 10K and 21K, Volksmarch)
10 a.m. — Chalk Walk, featuring chalk artists, downtown behind Clallam Title and BrokersGroup
10 a.m. — Kids Corral opens
10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Hot Gas & Gears car show
10 a.m.-11 p.m. — Ballooning Up food court
10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Artists of Elegance (arts and crafts)
10 a.m.-10 p.m. — Music in the Air music festival at the main stage
10 a.m. — The Social Medium Wine and Beer Garden
7 p.m. — Moving in the Air Street Dance
8:30 p.m. — Twilight in the Olympics Balloon Glow
 
• Sunday, Sept. 2
6 a.m. — Balloon Trekkers Balloon Rides (only event at Sequim Valley Airport)
All day — View Chalk Walk champions (downtown)
10 a.m. — Kids Corral opens
10 a.m. — Hot Gas & Gears Car Show starts
10 a.m. — Ballooning Up food court opens
10 a.m. — Artists of Elegance (arts and crafts)
11 a.m.-10 p.m. — Music in the Air Music Festival
11 a.m. — The Social Medium Wine & Beer Garden opens
7 p.m. — Moving in the Air Street Dance
8:30 p.m. — Twilight in the Olympics Balloon Glow
 
• Monday, Sept. 1
6 a.m. — Balloon Barnstormers Balloon Race
All day — View Chalk Walk champions (downtown)
10 a.m. — Kids Corral opens
10 a.m. — Ballooning Up Food Court opens
10 a.m. — Artists of Elegance (arts and crafts)
10 a.m. — Music in the Air Music Festival starts
10 a.m. — The Social Medium Beer & Wine Garden opens
3:30 p.m. — Grounds close