Art, Wind & Fire Festival Brings Art, Hot-Air Balloons and Disc Golf to Forgottonia September 11–12

A weekend of three longstanding Macomb traditions offers art lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and families plenty of ways to experience Forgottonia

MACOMB, IL, UNITED STATES, August 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — September 11–12, 2026, Macomb will once again come alive with the sights, sounds and activities of the Art, Wind & Fire Festival, a weekend-long celebration bringing together three signature local events: the Gazebo Art Festival, YFC Disc Golf Open and Macomb Balloon Rally.

With events taking place throughout Macomb, Art, Wind & Fire offers visitors an opportunity to experience the community through art, outdoor recreation and one of the region’s most beloved hot-air balloon traditions.

The Gazebo Art Festival, held in historic Chandler Park, celebrates more than 50 years of showcasing original juried artwork from local and regional artists. Named for the historic gazebo at the center of the park, the festival features a wide variety of mediums, including paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, ceramics and fiber art. Local food trucks will also be on hand, making the festival an easy stop for an afternoon of art, food and community.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the YFC Open Disc Golf Tournament returns to the scenic Everwood Disc Golf Course in Macomb’s Everly and Glenwood Parks. Led by Tournament Director and professional disc golfer Johnnie Harrison, the Pro-Am tournament is open to players of all levels and offers first-, second- and third-place prizes.

The weekend’s centerpiece is the Macomb Balloon Rally, a tradition that has brought hot-air balloonists and spectators together for more than 35 years. Held at Western Illinois University’s Vince Grady Field, the Balloon Rally is one of the region’s longest-running hot-air balloon festivals. Visitors can watch colorful balloons take to the sky during flights and return for the spectacular balloon glow. The event also features food, live music and plenty of opportunities for families and visitors to enjoy the festivities. The Balloon Rally is free and open to the public and is handicap accessible.

The Art, Wind & Fire weekend is also an ideal time to explore some of Macomb’s signature attractions. At the center of the historic downtown square sits Macombopoly, a larger-than-life, 170,000-square-foot Monopoly experience that pays tribute to Macomb native and Monopoly inventor Lizzie Magie. Free and open 24/7, the app-powered game guides players past larger-than-life sculptures and through interactive challenges, trivia and real prizes.

Nearby, visitors can see the world’s only Living Lincoln Topiary Monument, a 16-foot-tall, 3D-printed bust of Abraham Lincoln complete with real flowering whiskers. The monument is part of Macomb’s Looking for Lincoln Tour, which highlights the community’s connections to one of America’s most iconic historical figures.

Together, the three events and Macomb’s unique attractions make Art, Wind & Fire a distinctly Forgottonia weekend, offering visitors plenty of reasons to stay awhile, explore downtown and experience the community’s art, history and outdoor traditions.

For more information about Art, Wind & Fire and other things to see and do in the region, visit Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia at visitforgottonia.com.

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About Macombopoly
Macombopoly is a larger-than-life, app-powered Monopoly experience played on the downtown square of Macomb, Illinois. Set on the historic Courthouse Square, the 170,000-square-foot experience pays tribute to Lizzie Magie, the Macomb-born inventor who created The Landlord’s Game in 1903, the direct predecessor to the Monopoly board game. The game is powered by eATLAS and free to play. More at visitforgottonia.com.

About Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia
Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia is the destination marketing organization for McDonough County and the surrounding region of west-central Illinois, promoting the area’s history, attractions, and experiences to visitors from across the state and beyond. More at visitforgottonia.com.

Jock Hedblade
Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia
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Written By: EIN Presswire