Social media is buzzin' about Binghamton's biggest and most exciting festival, the 30th Annual Spiediefest and Balloon Rally.  I have many special memories of this festival and I'm sure you look forward to it every year as I do.  This year, all of us at the HAWK are hearing from people outside the are that will be hitting Otsiningo Park for the first time and with the festival hours away, excitement is building.

For complete parking and traffic information, check Traci Taylor's excellent blog on the HAWK web site.

Remember to check the official Spiediefest web site for the latest updates and concert information.  When you get to the park, listen for live information that will broadcast throughout the park.  Here is a quick rundown of times and some of the weekend events:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST -
Festival opens - 3pm
Foghat concert - 7pm (concert area - ticket needed)
Balloon launch - between 6 - 7pm (weather permitting)
Night Glow starts - around 8 - 8:30pm (weather permitting)
FIREWORKS at dusk!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2ND -
Morning balloon launch 6 - 7am (weather permitting)
BCC parking shuttles start - 8am
Classic car show - starts 10am
Peyton List Meet and Greet - Noon (concert area - ticket needed)
Cody Christian Meet and Greet - 3pm (concert area - ticket needed)
Evening balloon launch between 6 - 7pm (weather permitting)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3RD -
Morning balloon launch - 6 - 7am (weather permitting)
BCC parking shuttles start - 8am
Tunerz car show - starts 10am
Kelly LaBare 5K - 9:30am
Spiedie cooking contest - 1pm (News 34 Tent)
Cole Swindell & Kristian Bush of Sugarland concert - 2pm (concert area - ticket needed)
Evening balloon launch - between 6 - 7pm (weather permitting)

Pricing: $8 per day to walk in and enjoy the festival, children 7 and under free. Ticketed events are $15 (Fri), $15 (Sat), $20 (Sun) - price of ticket includes walk-in price to the festival. (Note: Children under 7 DO need a ticket to enter the concert area.) Tickets are available at a variety of locations (Weis, Wegmans, MaineSource, Lupos, Horizons FCU and SFCU) for these events.

Parking is available at BCC (follow signs indicating SpiedieFest parking) with a bus shuttle to the north side of the park. For those walking to the Festival, the entrance remains at the south side, near the Bevier Street bridge.

Look for the HAWK gang throughout the festival.  Glenn, Traci, Rich and I will be looking for you Sunday for our big concert.  We have a full day of concerts for you beginning at 2pm.

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