June 3-4, 2026: Hot Air Balloon Race | Meetup

Register for the Hot Air Balloon Race Meetup on June 3-4th!

This event is open to all! The Helen Balloon Festival 2026 is set in the picturesque Alpine Village of Helen, Georgia, and is the South’s oldest balloon event as well as the United States’ only long-distance hot air balloon race. 

The festival combines breathtaking balloon ascensions with a variety of family-friendly activities, live music, food vendors, carnival rides, and interactive games for children. While the competition to the Atlantic continues, other balloonists compete in local events beginning Thursday evening around 6:00 pm. 

Local flying events will take place also on Friday and Saturday. The balloons will fly around 7:30 am and 6:00 pm each day (weather permitting). The balloons will only fly for around 1 to 2 hours. 

There will be many opportunities available to the public: assisting with the inflations, being a part of a chase crew or taking a tethered ride in a balloon. There will be approximately 20 balloons flying locally.

The guest speaker for our Technical Webinar on Tuesday, May 26^th is an expert on photographing hot air balloons. We will gain tips from him on the right lens and other gear choices and will pass those tips along to the registered attendees for the field trip.  

This event is open to the public, but to attend as part of our Club, registration is required.  

This should be a fun event with lots of opportunities to practice your photography skills. We hope you will join us!

Contact us at info@pcphotoclub.org for any questions!

Meetup Details:

• Location & Address: 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545

• Date: June 3-4, 2026

• Duration: Overnight Wednesday + All Day Thursday

• Parking: Available on the launch field for $20 or in nearby public lots for $10.

• Entry Fee: Pedestrian entry is $1, cash only.

• Meetup Leader: Tracey Rice

• Event website: https://helenballoon.com/

• Contact us at info@pcphotoclub.org for questions

  
  

Additional Details:

• The festival features the “Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race,” which begins on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. (weather permitting) with a mass ascension of around 20 bright and colorful hot air balloons.

• There are festivities all day long through Saturday if you would like to stay longer on your own.

• It will take about 1.5 hours to drive to Helen, so unless you want to drive up in the wee hours of the morning on Thursday, it is it is advisable to drive up Wednesday night and stay in a local hotel.

• Carpooling is an option, but you must make your own hotel reservation.

  
  

Register

Check out event photography below!

Directions:

1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gYG5fM7fDSasosNz5

Event Website: https://helenballoon.com/

Event Website Directions: http://www.helendorf.com/directions/

Liability Notice:

By signing up and attending Peachtree Corners Photography Club Meetups you acknowledge that you could be injured or your property damaged. You also agree that you are voluntarily participating in this activity and assume any risk of physical injury or damage to your property. Peachtree Corners Photography Club or any of its members will not be held responsible for injury to oneself or damage to any property.

Registration:

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