Photos: Annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival Javier Gallegos | STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST Javier Gallegos Author email Oct 18, 2026 Oct 18, 2026 Updated Oct 18, 2026 SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Glowing balloons inflated by burners’ flames illuminated the fairgrounds in Sorrento after dusk for the Boucherie and Balloon Festival. The annual festival grew in attendance from last years as thousands gathered for live music, fresh cooked jambalaya and cracklings, carnival games and the marquee hot air balloon glow. BR.bourcherieasc.102126.03.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 Jeremy Jennings, left, uses his phone to record a hot air balloon during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.02.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 Lynn Paddie holds onto a rope tied to an inflating balloon as children run past her during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.01.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 Pilot Bill Bussey, second from right, fires up the burners to inflate his balloon as crew members pull cords away from the flame during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.04.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 Attendees enjoy the scene around them as pilots turn on their burners in bursts, illuminating the dark field for moments at a time during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.05.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 A pig balloon inflates during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.06.JPG Updated Oct 18, 2026 Pilot Karen Kent, left, turns on the burner to inflate her balloon as Dalton Lindsay helps to hold the lip open during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.07.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 Pilots turn on their burners at the same time during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.08.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 A cook bags cracklins during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.10.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 Zip Mayer pours sugar on sweet potatoes chips fresh out of the fryer after making cracklins during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.11.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 Aden Burgett takes a bite of cracklin during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.12.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 Kids play on playground during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.13.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 A large crowd dances to live music during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.15.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 Riders on the Ferris wheel enjoy the last of the day’s sunlight during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.09.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 Steven Baye chats with a friend while bagging cracklins during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos BR.bourcherieasc.102126.14.JPG Updated Oct 19, 2026 Shane Ard holds his daughter, Evelyn, while riding a carousel during the annual Boucherie and Balloon Festival in Sorrento on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos Staff photo by Javier Gallegos Tags Ascension Sorrento Boucherie Festival Boucherie Hot Air Balloon Javier Gallegos Author email SMS Email Print Copy article link Save