2026 Sponsorship Opportunities

Deadline: Jul 01, 2026 11:59 pm (GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

2026 Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival

Date: Aug 15, 2026 3:00 pm - Aug 15, 2026 9:00 pm (EDT)

7930 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, Tennessee 37882, United States

About the event

Join us this August for a summertime spectacle, when professional balloonist light up the evening sky with a beautiful balloon glow and spectacular tethered rides. The sky will be filled with a spectrum of color like never before, against a backdrop of a breathtaking Tennessee Smoky Mountain sunset, in beautiful Townsend, Tennessee! Learn More at GSMBalloonFest.com

Townsend Cades Cove Gateway Alliance

Contact Organizer

Townsend Cades Cove Gateway Alliance

Contact Organizer

About the application

2026 Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival Sponsorship Opportunities Be part of one of the most anticipated events in the Smokies and align your business with a festival that brings together tourism, community, hospitality, and unforgettable experiences on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. The Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival attracts thousands of visitors each year and creates unique opportunities for businesses to gain visibility before, during, and after the event through digital marketing, social media promotion, VIP experiences, and on-site recognition. Whether you are looking to support tourism, connect with new customers, or position your business alongside one of the region’s signature events, we invite you to partner with us for the 2026 festival.

Terms & Conditions

By purchasing a sponsorship for the 2026 Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival, the sponsor agrees to the following terms and conditions: * All sponsorship payments are non-refundable. * Sponsorship benefits and placements are not guaranteed until payment is received in full. * Sponsorship opportunities are available on a first-come, first-served basis. * Event organizers reserve the right to limit sponsor categories or exclusivity at select sponsorship levels. * Sponsor logos, advertisements, and promotional materials must be submitted by the requested deadlines to guarantee inclusion in printed and digital marketing materials. * The festival reserves the right to refuse sponsorships, displays, or materials deemed inappropriate, offensive, or inconsistent with the mission and family-friendly nature of the event. * Event schedules, activities, balloon operations, tethered rides, entertainment, and VIP experiences are subject to weather conditions, safety regulations, and operational changes without notice. * Sponsorship benefits involving on-site displays or activations must comply with all festival setup requirements, space limitations, and safety guidelines. * Sponsors are responsible for providing approved logos, promotional materials, and any display setup items unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. * The festival is not responsible for weather-related interruptions, force majeure events, or circumstances beyond organizational control. * Sponsorship purchases do not establish ownership, partnership, or decision-making authority within the festival or hosting organization. * The use of festival branding, logos, or event imagery by sponsors must be approved by festival organizers. * The festival reserves the right to modify sponsorship benefits, event programming, or logistics as necessary to ensure successful event operations. For sponsorship questions or support, please contact: contact@exploretownsend.com

Prices

Bronze Level	$500.00	Non-refundable	Support one of the Smokies’ most anticipated annual events while gaining visibility among thousands of festival attendees and online followers. Includes: Social media sponsor recognition Logo listing on the official event website Official 2026 Festival Sponsor graphic for your business to share online (2) General Admission Tickets (2) Tethered Balloon Ride Tickets (1) Parking Pass VIP Experience not included.
Silver Level	$1,000.00	Non-refundable	Increase your business visibility while offering clients, guests, or team members an upgraded festival experience during one of the Smokies’ signature events. Includes: Business name placement on the official event website Social media sponsor recognition Official 2026 Festival Sponsor graphic for your business to share online MC sponsor recognition during the event (2) VIP Experience Tickets VIP Experience Includes: Access to the VIP hospitality area Premium festival viewing area Catered food & hospitality experience Exclusive festival atmosphere
Gold Level	$2,500.00	Non-refundable	Position your business as a featured community partner with expanded visibility, premium guest access, and enhanced on-site presence during the festival. Includes: Everything included in the Silver Sponsor Level, plus: (2) Additional VIP Experience Tickets (4 Total VIP Experiences) Highlighted sponsor feature on festival social media On-site business display opportunity in the VIP hospitality area Logo inclusion in select festival marketing materials Featured sponsor recognition in festival email marketing VIP Experience Includes: Access to the VIP hospitality area Premium festival viewing area Catered food & hospitality experience Exclusive festival atmosphere Opportunity to include an approved promotional item, offer, or branded giveaway within select VIP guest materials.
Platinum Level	$5,000.00	Non-refundable	Receive premium visibility and elevated brand placement as one of the festival’s top community and tourism partners during the 2026 Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival. Includes: Premium logo placement on festival marketing materials and official event website Featured social media recognition with business tag and direct link Featured sponsor spotlight during festival promotions Exclusive sponsor-provided promotional offer or giveaway featured on festival social media (6) VIP Experience Tickets Priority on-site business display opportunity within the VIP hospitality area Multiple MC sponsor recognitions throughout the event Featured inclusion in festival email marketing campaigns Official 2026 Platinum Sponsor graphic for business promotion VIP Experience Includes: Access to the VIP hospitality area Premium festival viewing area Catered food & hospitality experience Exclusive festival atmosphere Opportunity to include an approved promotional item, exclusive offer, or branded giveaway within VIP guest hospitality materials.
Presenting Sponsor	$10,000.00	Non-refundable	Become the title partner of one of the Smokies’ premier tourism and community events with the highest level of visibility, recognition, hospitality, and brand integration throughout the 2026 Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival. Includes: Official event naming rights: “Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival presented by Explore Townsend & [Business Name]” Premier logo placement on: * Festival marketing materials * Event signage * Official event website * Social media promotions Exclusive media exposure opportunities including: * Press releases * Interviews * Festival email campaigns * Video and promotional features * Custom on-site brand activation opportunity (photo experience, giveaway, branded lounge area, promotional activation, etc.) * Exclusive sponsor-provided promotional offer or giveaway featured across festival social media VIP Hospitality Package: (10) VIP Experience Tickets Reserved VIP table within the VIP hospitality area Dedicated sponsor marketing campaign including: Multiple social media features Video spotlight opportunities Featured sponsor promotions leading up to the festival On-stage recognition by the festival MC throughout the event Official 2026 Presenting Sponsor promotional graphic for business marketing use VIP Experience Includes: Access to the VIP hospitality area Premium festival viewing area Catered food & hospitality experience Exclusive festival atmosphere Premier opportunity to include branded promotional items, exclusive offers, or curated giveaways within VIP guest hospitality experiences. Sponsorship Contact Jill Free-Hepperly Executive Director — Townsend-Cades Cove Gateway Alliance Jill@ExploreTownsend.com / contact@exploretownsend.com

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2026 Sponsorship Opportunities

2026 Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival

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