Your Guide To This Weekend's Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival

The good times are set to roll at the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival Friday, May 31, through Sunday, June 2 in southwest Riverside County just east of Temecula and Murrieta.

The event, held at Lake Skinner Recreation Area, 37701 Warren Road in Winchester near Temecula Valley Wine Country, is in its 30th year and may be the biggest yet. Activities such as a car show and craft/microbrew pairing by local brewhouses have been added this year.

Gates opened at 3 p.m. Friday, where guests enjoyed Arts and Crafts Faire, Kids Faire, exhibits, an international food court, concerts on the main stage, plenty of chances for wine tasting and the popular Balloon Glow.

"Opening night, Friday evening May 31, is a crowd pleaser as families pour into the Festival in anticipation of the evening 'Balloon Glow,'" said Melody Brunsting, event spokeswoman. "The luminescent balloon glow is created when balloon pilots synchronize igniting burners of the balloons. The burner is what creates the 'hot' in the air."

The festival closed at 10 p.m. Friday, then reopens from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

On Sunday at 1 p.m., Metal Mulisha founder Brian Deegan is slated to sign autographs as part of an FMX exhibition of motocross daredevils on the main stage.

For the music lovers, live concerts will take place throughout the weekend.

Concerts are held on two stages Friday and Saturday with national bands. Sunday concerts are held on the wine stage.

Country Friday's headliner is Scotty McCreery, "American Idol" season 10 winner and Easton Corbin. 

Saturday concerts feature The All-American Rejects, Eve6, and special guest Berlin. Sunday's headliner is the Young Dubliners. 

Additional local and regional bands play throughout Saturday and Sunday on the wine stage.

Festival-goers are also invited to check out the wine barrel race cars, which are go carts made from wine barrels.

Ticket information:

General Admission (includes seating to all concerts):

If purchased online: Friday $22; Saturday $23; Sunday $15; Juniors 6-12 $5; Children 5 and under free. Weekend $50 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday);

Sunday Gate ONLY: Active Military Discount $10 (Must show Military ID.);

If purchased at the gate: Friday $24; Saturday $25; Sunday $17; Juniors 6-12 $5; Children 5 and under free.

Discounted tickets are available for purchase at participating Vons and CVS locations.

Food and beverage tickets are an additional cost; click here for more information on that.

General parking is $5. The lot opens at 2 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Premiere parking is available for $20. RV/bus parking costs $10.

The event draws approximately 40,000 annually, so locals should be aware there will be extra traffic this weekend.

Visit Tvbwf.com for complete event information and to purchase tickets.