Rides and inflatables were filled with kids Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, at the 24th annual U.S. Bank Balloons, Tunes & BBQ festival at the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport. (Miranda Pederson/Daily News)

Shelby Deders, 12, and Anna Miller, 14, both of Glasgow, stood in the carnival midway during the first night of the U.S. Bank Balloons, Tunes & BBQ on Thursday, working up the courage to go on the Loop-O-Plane, which swings riders upside down.

When Shelby rode it last year, “I thought I was going to get sick because it started and then stopped,” she said. “I thought it broke and I was really scared.”

This year, she wanted to introduce the festival to her friend Anna, who recently moved to the area.

“We just came down to see all the things they had,” Anna said. “I think it’s pretty cool.”

The carnival midway, inflatable fair and concessions opened Thursday during Kid’s Night, the first day of Balloons, Tunes & BBQ, which benefits United Way of Southern Kentucky.

“(Thursday) is just kind of a dry run,” said Mandy Hicks, director of marketing and communications for United Way.

The event continues through Sunday at Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport. Today, gates open at 3 p.m., with stage entertainment beginning at 5:30 p.m., featuring Justin Rivers, Bowling Green Idol and Loving Mary. Tethered balloon rides will be available, weather permitting, and the Hot Air Balloon Glow begins at dusk. Admission is $10 a person tonight.

The first balloon fly-in will be early Saturday morning. Gates open at noon, with the Hare and Hounds Hot Air Balloon Takeoff at 5 p.m. and stage entertainment beginning at 6 p.m., featuring David Nail, Jana Kramer and The Farm. Admission is $20 on Saturday.

The final balloon fly-in will be early morning Sunday.    

On Thursday, the Loop-O-Plane also caught the eye of 2-year-old Brock McIvor, whose face broke into a grin as he pointed to the ride while his mother, Sarah Beth McIvor, held him.

“He’s a little too small for (the rides), but he definitely likes looking at them,” she said. “We’re just in awe of the fact that you can flip around like that.”

She and Brock came with her parents, Carol and Dan McIvor, all of Bowling Green.

“This is just a fun thing for the children,” Carol McIvor said. “This is fun every year. We love watching the balloons.”

Justin Pate of Bowling Green took advantage of the value of Kids Night, when admission was just $5.

“Right now, the prices are great and it benefits a good cause, so you don’t feel bad spending some money,” Pate said. 

Shea Odom of Bowling Green also enjoyed the first night of the festival with her children.

“It gives the kids something to do instead of them running around the apartment complex,” she said.

— For more information about Balloons, Tunes & BBQ, visit www.balloonstunesbbq.com. 

— Follow faith/general assignments reporter Laurel Wilson on Twitter at twitter.com/FaithinBG or visit bgdailynews.com.