A Weekend worth remembering
Mark your calendars now!
Patriots Weekend Extravaganza!
September 12 & 13, 2026
3801 Douglas Road, Millstadt, IL 62260
2 – 9:30 pm, both days
Reserve Your Patriots Weekend Pass*
$30 Per Vehicle
The Patriots Weekend Experience Pass admits everyone in your vehicle for both Saturday and Sunday activities.
Bring the whole family and enjoy two days of fun, entertainment and unforgettable memories – all for one affordable price.
Reserve Your Patriots Weekend Experience Pass
Why you’ll love Patriots Weekend
Balloon Glow with Tethered Balloon Rides!*
1860s Stagecoach Rides: Ride the Wild Frontier!
Classic Wedding Carriage: Ride in Fairytale Luxury!
And that’s not all…
- Live Music
- Local Food Trucks
- Shopping from Local Vendors
- Petting Zoo
- Cider Pressing Demonstration – you can help!
- Canoe Races
- Face Painting
- Door Prizes
- Scavenger Hunt for the Kids
- Lawn Games
Gather your family and friends for two unforgettable days at Buttercup Ranch! Patriots Weekend Extravaganza is a celebration of community, patriotism, and family fun, featuring live entertainment, delicious food, local vendors, exciting activities, and the beautiful countryside of Southern Illinois.
Whether you’re cheering on athletes in the CiderMan Sprint Triathlon, enjoying the Balloon Glow, exploring Patriots Village, or simply spending quality time together, there’s something for everyone.
Best of all, your attendance helps support our local first responders while creating a tradition your family will look forward to year after year.
Make It a Weekend
Saturday Night Camping!
Don’t want the fun to end? After an activity-packed day of vendors, carriage rides, petting zoo, music, food and our spectacular Balloon Glow, stay the night. Limited spots are available for your family or group to camp. Wake up to the peaceful beauty of Buttercup Ranch and spend the weekend making memories with family and friends.
Camping reservations are available separately.
*Things to Know:
Farm Entrance
Your Extravaganza Parking Pass gives you entrance to the farm both days. Come either day or both days, depending on your preference and schedule!
Waivers
All visitors will be required to sign a waiver to enter the farm and receive a wristband.
Hot Air Balloon Wind & Weather Policy
Hot air balloons require very specific, calm conditions to fly safely. Even if the sun is shining and the weather seems fine for walking around the festival, higher wind speeds or rain forecasts can prevent balloons from inflating.
Please note our official scheduling and refund policy:
- The Festival Goes On: Rain or shine, all other festival activities—including our stagecoach and carriage rides, food trucks, and historical demonstrations—will carry on as scheduled!
- Saturday Night Balloon Glow: If wind or weather prevents us from safely hosting the Balloon Glow on Saturday night, it will move to Sunday evening. If Sunday evening is also unsafe, the Balloon Glow will be canceled entirely.
- Tethered Rides: Tethered balloon rides will take place Saturday only, weather permitting. They will not move to Sunday.
- No Refunds: Because the rest of the Patriots Weekend extravaganza continues regardless of the balloons, there are no ticket refunds due to balloon delays or cancellations.
We monitor wind speeds and weather forecasts constantly. Live updates regarding balloon inflation will be posted directly to our Facebook page throughout the weekend!