The Columbus Day Festival's own Hot Air Balloon Regatta is part of the fastest growing festival in Southeast Kansas. 20 balloons from all over the area will decorate the October sky with color and excitement. Beginning with a balloon glow on Friday evening, then followed by three regattas over the weekend (weather permitting), the event has become the Columbus Day Festival's main attraction.

Schedule:

Friday October 10, 2025

Scarecrow Contest, scarecrows will be on the North side of the square and East on Maple St.  Register your scarecrow with the Chamber office and receive your assignment of location. Prizes will be given for two places. Contest is open to businesses, organizations and individuals. Scarecrows must be in place by noon, today.

Quilt Show, located at St. Rose Parish Hall, 129 N. Kansas, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Quilts will be accepted at the Columbus Library from Tuesday 10/7 to Thursday 10/9.

Sponsored by Columbus Public Library.

Bean Feed, 137 W. Maple Street, in front of Commerce Bank, 5:00 pm to ?  Beverage available for purchase. In case of bad weather, will be in City Park Pavilion.
Sponsored by Commerce Bank.

Little Mr. & Miss Columbus Crowning, 5:30 pm on the the courthouse steps. 
Meet the children and see the crowning. Hosted by Labette Bank.

Hot Air Balloon Glow, 20th St. off W. Hwy. 160, around 6:45 pm. Weather permitting.   $10.00 car pass will cover all balloon event parking Please have correct amount.  Nonrefundable.

If you have never seen a glow, you certainly don’t want to miss this!

Saturday October 11, 2025

Hot Air Balloon Regatta.  Lift off between 7:00 and 7:30 Am., weather permitting, at W. Hwy 160 & 20th St. Watch for signage.  Hare & Hound Race between balloons.
$10.00 parking fee or car pass for all balloon event parking. Purchase in advance for $8.00, please have correct amount. Nonrefundable.

Pancake Breakfast: 320 W. Maple, First United Methodist Church. 7:00 am to 9:30 am.

Start your day with a good breakfast. Sponsored by Columbus Area Churches, proceeds to Summer Lunch Program.

5K, Run, Walk, Jog: 7:30 am. All ages. Entry Fee $20.00 pre-register; $25.00 register day of. Starting point at Pine & Pennsylvania. Pre-register at American Bank, 620-429-2265.  Sponsored by American Bank.

Parade: 9:40 am. Starts at Vermont & Maple.  Down Maple St. to Tennessee St.

Virtual Reality Roller Coaster Experience: A "heart thumping" experience without leaving your seat! SW corner of the square. 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. $5.00 per person.

Car & Motorcycle Show: 8:30 am. to 2:00 pm. Downtown square. Antiques, Classic, Street Rods, motorcycles, and more! Registration will be on the west side of the square at 101 S. Pennsylvania. Pre-register with RealPro at 620-429-4400.  Day of show fee will be $15.00. Sponsored by Advantage Metal Recycling LLC and Hosted by RealPro.

Entertainment on SE corner (Gazebo): Greenlawn Station Bluegrass will be playing from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy.

Farm Heritage Show – Down E. Pine St from square. Antique tractors, hay balers, corn crackers, hit & miss engines, rare antique farm machinery. Demonstrations and explanations of machinery that our forefathers used to establish our local farms. Sponsored by 4 State Printing.

Quilt Show: located at St. Rose Parish Hall, 129 N. Kansas, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Judging will be by the public.  Sponsored by Columbus Public Library.

Petting Zoo: Southwest corner of the square.  10:00 am to 3:00 pm. 
Hosted by Columbus FFA

Inflatable Activities: S. Pennsylvania St. 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Armbands available for all day fun on four inflatables.

Entertainment for all ages. 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. In front of the fountain on Maple Street. Natalie’s Dance Studio, the CUHS Music Department, street entertainment.

Arts & Craft Fair: 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Kansas Street on the square. Booths of handicrafts - clothing, wood items and much more!

Hot Air Balloon Regatta:  Lift off around 5:30 pm from W. Hwy. 160 & 20th St., watch for signs.  Weather permitting.  Hare and Hound Race.  $10.00 parking fee or car pass for balloon event parking, please have correct amount, buy it early and save.

Tractor Pull: Saddle Club Arena on Park St. Bring lawn chairs. Weigh-in at 2:00 pm, pull begins at 4:00 pm. Concession Stand.  Antique/classic with light/heavy steel.  Contact 620-762-6323.  Sponsored by Columbus FFA Alumni Association

A variety of food and soft drinks will be on sale on Pine St., south side of square.

Information & Souvenir Booth will be located on Kansas St. as you enter from Maple (white canopy tent, center of street).

Sunday October 12, 2025

Hot Air Balloon Regatta: Lift off between 7:00 am and 7:30 am. from W Hwy. 160 & 20th Street, watch for signs. Weather permitting. Parking fee $10.00 or advance pass $8.00.

Mini Rods & Garden Tractor Pull, Midwest Pullers: Saddle Club Arena on Park St.  Event begins at 1:00 pm. Concession shack will be open. Come out and enjoy watching these geared up tractors. Contact 620-762-6323. Sponsored by Columbus FFA Alumni Association.

Date: October 10 - 12, 2025

Location: Various Venues in Columbus, KS 66725

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