# Event Details - **Event Name**: 2026 Smokin on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 24 Apr, 2026 at 07:00 am – Sun, 26 Apr, 2026 at 10:00 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE2nd Annual Smokin’ on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival Returns with Full Weekend of Activities, Entertainment, and Balloon EventsCordele, GA — The Smokin’ on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival is set to return for its second year, bringing an unforgettable weekend filled with vibrant color, rich flavors, and high-energy entertainment to the Lake Blackshear area. Guests can look forward to a breathtaking display of colorful hot air balloons drifting across the sky while the mouthwatering aroma of slow-smoked BBQ fills the air.Hosted through a collaborative effort between the Crisp-Cordele Chamber, Cordele-Crisp Tourism, Aviation Ranch, and Lake Blackshear Resort, the festival promises a dynamic experience designed to engage visitors of all ages.Event OverviewFestivities will begin Friday afternoon with vendors opening at 4:00 PM, showcasing a wide variety of unique, handcrafted goods perfect for adding something special to any collection. DJ music will set the tone from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, followed by live entertainment from Eric Hatcher from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.As the sun begins to set, the skies will come alive with evening balloon activities, including a potential night flight at 6:30 PM and a dazzling balloon glow from 7:30 PM until approximately 9:00 PM. Tethered balloon rides will also be available beginning at 6:00 PM (weather permitting), offering guests a chance to experience the magic up close. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.Saturday HighlightsSaturday morning begins early with hot air balloons littering the sky with bright colors and friendly smiles at 7:00 AM from festival grounds at Georgia Veterans State Park followed by the festival grounds buzzing with energy as arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, and children’s activities open at 10:00 AM for the day. Guests can explore rows of unique vendors, enjoy the sounds of live music drifting through the park, and indulge in some of the best BBQ around as competition teams fill the air with smokin’ meats and delicious treats.DJ Music: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PMLive Entertainment: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Rolling Thunder)Flintlock Annie Band: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PMGBA BBQ Competition Awards: 4:00 PMHot Air Balloon launch begin at 6:30 PMBalloon Tether Rides begin at 6:30 PMMusic Entertainment: 6:30 - 9:00 PMHot Air Balloon glow will light the night at 7:30 PM to 8:30 PMSaturday evening continues the excitement with glowing balloons lighting up the night sky, live entertainment, and vendors remaining open for attendees. Tethered balloon rides will again be available starting at 6:30 PM (weather permitting), with tickets offered on a first-come, first-served basis.Sunday ActivitiesThe festival concludes Sunday morning with a final balloon flight at 7:00 AM at Georgia Veterans State Park, offering one last chance to witness the beauty of the balloons rising with the morning sun.Additional InformationAttendees can expect a lively, sensory-filled atmosphere throughout the weekend—from the vibrant colors of balloons overhead to the sounds of live music and the irresistible scent of championship BBQ cooking throughout the park. With unique vendors, exciting entertainment, and interactive experiences, this festival offers something for everyone.Event organizers emphasize safety and communication, with updates provided as needed throughout the weekend.The Smokin’ on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival continues to grow as a signature event in South Georgia, offering a unique blend of aviation excitement and Southern hospitality. Organizers look forward to welcoming guests and participants for another memorable year. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/cordele/2026-smokin-on-blackshear-bbq-and-balloon-festival-tickets/80002807340022 - **Event Categories**: festivals, music, entertainment, contests, live-music, sports - **Slot details of has slots**: - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 62 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD - **Ticket informations**: - ticket_1 — 0.00 USD - ticket_2 — 0.00 USD - ticket_3 — 0.00 USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Cordele - **state**: GA - **country**: United States - **location**: Georgia Veterans State Park - **lat**: 31.958425 - **long**: -83.89820999999999 - **full address**: Georgia Veterans State Park, 2459 US-280 w, Cordele, GA 31015, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Event Photo 1 - **Image URL**: https://cdn2.allevents.in/thumbs/live_large69e959fd71d2f.jpg - **Alt text**: Event Photo 2 - **Image URL**: https://cdn2.allevents.in/thumbs/live69e959fb7b1fe.jpg - **Alt text**: Event Photo 3 - **Image URL**: https://cdn2.allevents.in/thumbs/live69e959fb1ccc8.jpg - **Alt text**: Event Photo 4 - **Image URL**: https://cdn2.allevents.in/thumbs/live_large69e9596ecfd48.jpg - **Alt text**: Event Photo 5 - **Image URL**: https://cdn2.allevents.in/thumbs/live_large69e9596c9877e.jpg - **Alt text**: Event Photo 6 - **Image URL**: https://cdn2.allevents.in/thumbs/live_large69e9596be6541.jpg - **Alt text**: Event Photo 7 - **Image URL**: https://cdn2.allevents.in/thumbs/live69e9596be2719.jpg - **Alt text**: Event Photo 8 - **Image URL**: https://cdn2.allevents.in/thumbs/live_large69e958e215c67.jpg - **Alt text**: Event Photo 9 - **Image URL**: https://cdn2.allevents.in/thumbs/live_large69e958d1978bb.png ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is 2026 Smokin on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival being held? - **A:** 2026 Smokin on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival takes place on Fri, 24 Apr, 2026 at 07:00 am to Sun, 26 Apr, 2026 at 10:00 pm at Georgia Veterans State Park, 2459 US-280 w, Cordele, GA 31015, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing 2026 Smokin on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival? - **A:** 2026 Smokin on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival is organized by Smokin on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Festival", "name": "2026 Smokin on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival", "image": "https://cdn2.allevents.in/thumbs/thumb69e9583f025ab.jpg", "startDate": "2026-04-24T07:00:00-04:00", "endDate": "2026-04-26T22:00:00-04:00", "url": "https://allevents.in/cordele/2026-smokin-on-blackshear-bbq-and-balloon-festival-tickets/80002807340022", "eventStatus": "https://schema.org/EventScheduled", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Georgia Veterans State Park", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "2459 US-280 w, Cordele, GA 31015, United States", "postalCode": "31015", "addressLocality": "Cordele", "addressRegion": "GA", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "31.958425", "longitude": "-83.89820999999999" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE2nd Annual Smokin’ on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival Returns with Full Weekend of Activities, Entertainment, and Balloon EventsCordele, GA — The Smokin’ on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival is set to return for its second year, bringing an unforgettable weekend filled", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-22", "availabilityEnds": "2026-04-26T22:00:00-04:00", "validFrom": "2026-04-22", "lowPrice": "0.00", "highPrice": "0.00", "price": "0.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/cordele/2026-smokin-on-blackshear-bbq-and-balloon-festival-tickets/80002807340022" }, { "@type": "Offer", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-22", "availabilityEnds": "2026-04-26T22:00:00-04:00", "validFrom": "2026-04-22", "price": "0.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/cordele/2026-smokin-on-blackshear-bbq-and-balloon-festival-tickets/80002807340022", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "name": "FREE Admission" }, { "@type": "Offer", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-23", "availabilityEnds": "2026-04-26T22:00:00-04:00", "validFrom": "2026-04-23", "price": "0.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/cordele/2026-smokin-on-blackshear-bbq-and-balloon-festival-tickets/80002807340022", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "name": "FREE Admission" }, { "@type": "Offer", "priceCurrency": "USD", "availabilityStarts": "2026-04-23", "availabilityEnds": "2026-04-26T22:00:00-04:00", "validFrom": "2026-04-23", "price": "0.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/cordele/2026-smokin-on-blackshear-bbq-and-balloon-festival-tickets/80002807340022", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "name": "FREE Admission" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Smokin on Blackshear BBQ & Balloon Festival", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/smokin-on-blackshear-bbq-and-balloon-festival/27713575" } ] } ] ```