SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. -

The balloons will take to the skies this weekend as Valleyfest kicks off in Spokane Valley.

"This is Spokane Valley's community event. It's gotten bigger and bigger every year. It's going to be a fun one this year," Stephanie Hughes said.

It's anticipated as many as 30,000 people to attend Valleyfest this weekend.

"The event is really for children. It started out at Terrace Park 23 years ago. It's moved to Maribeau Point Park. It's just an opportunity for kids to get out some energy and to make it affordable for the families," Hughes said.

The five balloons that will be participating in Valleyfest will launch at 6:45 a.m. Saturday and Sunday as long as the weather is favorable for flying. And there's much more to ValleyFest than just the hot air balloons.

"We have the car show, fishing at the falls, the pancake breakfast, we have three entertainment stages," Peggy Doering said.

The weekend kicks off with a parade Friday night, with events running through the rest of the weekend.

Valleyfest is free to everyone and runs through Sunday at 4 p.m.