Bugs, balloons and fun coming to Williams Bay
Give a kid a balloon and just step back and watch the fun.
Picture that in your mind, then multiply the balloons by thousands. Let your imagination do the rest and you can understand why people look forward to the third annual Balloon Adventure, with this year’s theme of Buggin’ Out.
Presented by the charitable 531 Fund, the event is held in the Pier 290 boat showroom, 1 Liechty Drive, Williams Bay. The Balloon Adventure opens March 19 and runs through March 29, open every day with the exception of Monday, March 23.
Last year we brought our 5-year-old grandson Jack to the show. He was delighted – which meant we were delighted, too – and we’re all looking forward to a repeat engagement. More than 4,000 people attended over the 2025 run, and this year organizers expect to top 5,000.
We sat down with Kimberly Voller, executive director of the 531 Fund, to talk about the 2026 edition and what the group and its volunteers are trying to accomplish.
“Our mission is to support other nonprofits within our community,” she told us. “We raise money through our events in an effort to give back to our community through other organizations.”
About 10 years ago the work began with Santa Cruise and the accompanying Christmas Tree Festival, which raised charitable funds under the Santa Cause title. The success of that event encouraged organizers to rebrand as the 531 Fund – a reference to the area’s zip code – to expand with non-Christmas activities aimed at increasing the charitable impact.
Kimberly said the effort now has grown to include three events: the Santa Cruise-linked Christmas Tree Festival, the Balloon Adventure and Freezin’ for a Reason, which brings water skiers onto the lake the first Saturday in December to raise money for charity.
There could be more than three in the future, Kimberly said. “We’re working on them.”
The 531 Fund might be called a force multiplier.
“It’s one organization, for many causes, and collective impact,” she said.
All proceeds from Buggin’ Out will go to benefit Camp Timber-lee, a year-round Christian youth facility located at N8705 Scout Road, East Troy. The 600-acre site offers youth summer camp, winter retreats, outdoor education and other activities for kids and groups.
This year’s theme centers around all kinds of bugs, beetles, butterflies and the like. We wondered how that creepy-crawly approach evolved.
“The theme for this year came about because Camp Timber-lee has a very extensive science program,” Kimberly said. “We thought this would be a fun thing because it’s a great way to segue into more about Camp Timber-lee. We’re doing some hands-on science things. It’s a great opportunity to showcase what they have available. And kids like bugs.”
Don’t get the idea it is only fun for kids, though.
“It is for everybody, but it’s really fun to watch grandparents come in with their grandkids,” she told us. “It’s really fun to watch how they interact. They sit down and color with their grandchildren, getting them to look at all the different elements that are in the build. Participating in the Scavenger Hunt, or the Passport, really engaging the kids. It’s fun to see the grandparents with the kids.”
The Scavenger Hunt challenges event-goers to find hidden items throughout the colorful displays. The Passport provides interesting tidbits about the various bug balloon displays. Each child, upon entering, is given a balloon to carry. And, yes, at the end the kids are encouraged to pop them.
There are other special, ticketed events that sound like a blast.
After Glow Rave is set from 6-8 p.m. on March 20, with a DJ and music so kids can dance.
The Great Balloon Pub Crawl – this one is age 21 and up – is 3-6:30 p.m. March 21. Patrons are shuttled to Lake Geneva where six partner locations have concocted special Balloon Adventure drinks, before being shuttled back to Williams Bay.
Blockbuster Adventure Movie Night encourages children to come in their pajamas on March 27. After going through the balloon exhibits, they sit on blankets under the canopy to watch a movie together.
Finally, The Big Pop, when it’s all over on March 29. As the name suggests, the thousands of balloons are popped and then recycled with the cooperation of Sara Meyer, owner of Wisconsin Balloon Decor of Lake Geneva.
Kimberly advises patrons to reserve online (links can be found at 531fund.org and visitlakegeneva.com), where tickets can be purchased at a $5 discount from the on-site price. Crowds are expected, since several regional school districts will be on spring break and Balloon Adventure draws from wide and far.
“We literally have people that travel. I was surprised where people were coming from,” Kimberly told us. “Last year we had people from Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, so it’s not all local folks. It’s a great family event. It’s a unique experience. It’s interactive. It’s fun. It’s immersive.”
And Grandma Steph still has the pictures Jack colored for her from last year, when Balloon Adventure had a nautical theme.
She’s counting on a big ugly bug to grace the refrigerator this year.
Stephanie Klett is the President and CEO of Visit Lake Geneva, and the former Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Her husband, Bill Barth, is the former Editor of the Beloit Daily News and a member of the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame.
