Every June, Meadville’s sky fills with color as hot air balloons rise over Crawford County for the Thurston Classic. For visitors, it is one of the most beautiful weekends of the summer. For Meadville, it is something more: a celebration of a ballooning legacy that began downtown more than 165 years ago.
The event is named for Samuel “Vet” Thurston and his son, Alexander “Alic” Thurston, two Meadville aeronauts whose daring flights made local history long before balloon festivals became a summer tradition.
Samuel’s first public flight lifted off from the Diamond on July 4, 1860, after he learned to fly from a visiting balloonist staying at the Crawford House. He later built his own balloon, named it Meadville, and spent 25 years flying, racing, and performing across the region.
A generation later, Alic Thurston carried the family legacy even higher. He launched from the Diamond, built balloons in his barn, and in 1908 sent a 65-foot balloon skyward from the roof of the Meadville Market House. His flights reached more than 19,000 feet above the region and helped make the Thurston name part of Meadville’s identity.
That is why the Thurston Classic feels so rooted here. The Thurstons launched from Meadville landmarks, named their balloons after the town, and left a story that still lives in local streets, cemeteries, and community memory.
The modern Thurston Classic began in 1988 during Meadville’s Bicentennial celebration. Today, it continues as a free, community-run tradition featuring balloon launches, sanctioned races, food vendors, souvenirs, and the unforgettable Joyce Stevens’ Night Glow.
The 2026 Thurston Classic runs June 18–21 (Father’s Day Weekend) at the Allegheny College Robertson Athletic Complex, 204 Park Avenue in Meadville. Admission is free.
Thursday evening features the Joyce Stevens’ Night Glow, when tethered balloons are lit from within after sunset. Friday includes the Ted Watts’ Tribute Sponsors Flight. Saturday brings two sanctioned balloon races, and Sunday closes the weekend with the final race.
The event does not offer balloon rides, free or paid. It is a spectator event, so bring blankets or lawn chairs. Parking is limited, and all launches are weather-dependent, so check thurstonclassic.com before you go. And if you want the full story behind the name, the Crawford County Historical Society has a wonderful piece on the Thurstons that’s worth a read before you come.
To make a weekend of it, stop by the Meadville Market House to see where Alic launched his 1908 balloon, pay a visit to Greendale Cemetery where Samuel and Alic are buried, or tour the Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum for more local history. If you have extra time, Pymatuning State Park and Conneaut Lake are a short drive away. Start planning your visit at visit visitcrawford.org or download the Visit Crawford app.
Whether you come for the Night Glow, the morning launches, the history, or the photos, the Thurston Classic is one of Meadville’s signature summer experiences.
Bring a blanket, find a good spot, and look up.
Want to explore more? Check out these videos on our YouTube Channel.
A Look at the Thurston Classic
Community Members Interviews about Thurston Classic
Historical Photo Credits: Crawford County Historical Society