The 6th Annual Citrus Classic Balloon Festival will be held July 26 through July 28 in Santa Paula.

The three day festival will include tethered balloon rides, stunt planes, sky divers, food vendors, real train rides and a kids zone. Live music will also be playing throughout the weekend. Performing bands include The House Arrest Band, Johnny and the Love Handles, The Retreads, Juano and Friends and The Bomb with Victor Vega.

Enjoy one of the most unique dining experiences at the Sunset Wine Dinner on Friday, July 26. Guests will eat delicious cuisine, drink wine and listen to live music in a field illuminated by hot air balloons. General seating for this event is $70.00 per person and VIP seating is $85.00, which  includes many extra amenities. VIP tables are also available.

The Glow N’ Show Car Show will consist of over 300 cars on Saturday, July 27. Listen to classic rock and roll, watch various air displays, taste different foods and beers, take a train ride to explore downtown, win raffles and door prizes and wander through the hundreds of cars, all underneath the glowing hot air balloons.

The Craft Beer Dinner will be on Saturday, July 27 at 6pm. Guests will savor a four course meal that will be paired with craft beers. Live music, an air display and an evening balloon glow will entertain attendees throughout the night.

On Sunday, participate in the Summit to Sea Motorcycle Poker Run at 9am. Tour 50 miles through the foothills in the Ventura County on your motorcycle and return back to the balloon fields to enjoy a BBQ, beer garden, air display and live music performances. The world’s oldest Indian Motorcycle will be on display, as well as a variety of other vintage bikes. The registration fee for the ride is $45.00 for a single rider and $55.00 with a passenger.

Kids areas will be open on Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27. Kids can participate in contests, play games, take hay wagon tours, play in a farm animal petting zoo, go on carnival rides, watch live shows and much more.

Entry tickets include access to the festival fields, live music, craft and retail vendors and kids areas. Guests will also have admittance to the beer garden, the Glow N’ Show Car Show, train rides and air shows. Some attractions may have an additional charge.  Youth entry tickets are $4.00 if purchased prior to the event or $5 at the gate (see event website).

KHTS AM-1220 is selling adult entry tickets on shopKHTS.com.  Tickets are for Friday or Saturday’s activities at a discounted rate of $4.00. These tickets can also be purchased at the KHTS studios at 27225 Camp Plenty Road, Suite 8 (corner of intersection at Soledad Canyon and Camp Plenty, upstairs in the two-story building).  KHTS hours are 8:30am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.  Call (661)298-1220 for availability.

For more information about events, schedules and prices, visit www.hometownstation.com or www.citrusclassicballoons.com.

– Joseph Anderson