The Great Texas Balloon Race returns to Longview this June, bringing diverse music with performances from country star Sunny Sweeney and more.
LONGVIEW, Texas — The entertainment lineup has been announced for the 49th annual Great Texas Balloon Race in Longview this summer.
An East Texas staple festival, the Great Texas Balloon Race, is set for Friday, June 12, through Sunday, June 14. All ticketed events will be held at the Longview Convention Complex, located at 1123 Jaycee Drive.
Country music star and Longview native Sunny Sweeney will headline the evening of Saturday, June 13. Marshall native Wes Jeans, a blues-rock guitarist and vocalist, will headline the Friday performances, and the opening acts are L.A. Roxx on June 12 and Roses & Weeds on June 13.
“We are proud to continue bringing high quality musical entertainment to Longview as part of the Great Texas Balloon Race. With a mixture of Country, blues-rock, and a great stage band, this year’s entertainment lineup is intended to appeal to a wide audience, and we look forward to showcasing these talented performers,” said Gai Bennett, chair of this year’s event.
Sweeney has had a 20-year career in country music, which includes her Top 10 hit “From a Table Away” in 2011. Along with her five critically acclaimed albums, she is a song curator and advocate for other artists as the host of her SiriusXM shows “The Sunny Side of Life” on Outlaw Country and “Sunny Side Up” on Willie’s Roadhouse.
Jeans was voted as the East Texas Blues Artist of the Year several times. His popular songs and EPs include “Save Me” and “One Day at a Time.”
L.A. Roxx is a rock-and-roll tribute band based out Louisiana. They are known to perform hits like “Living On a Prayer,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Here I Go Again,” and many others.
Roses & Weeds, a country music group out of Paris, Texas, features Caleb Moses soulful vocal style with Tarren Keelies’ classic country twang.
Gates for the Great Texas Balloon Race open at 5 p.m. June 12 to 13 for the festival, including (weather permitting) special shape balloon inflations, RE/MAX skydiving team, vendors, KidsLand, tethered balloon rides, Bill Bussey Balloon Glows and along with live music and drone shows. Opening acts will begin performing around 7:30 p.m. June 12 to 13 with headliners scheduled to perform at 9:45 p.m.
Tickets cost $20 for Friday night, $25 for Saturday night or $40 for a weekend pass. Tickets can be purchased only at GTBR.net.