Twenty-one hot air balloons will fill the skies of Lawrence County next week.

They are a part of the Western Pennsylvania Balloon Quest, which returns to Union Township’s Scotland Meadows Park Wednesday through July 20.

The event is hosted by the Union Township Fire Dept. and sponsored by Mrozek Financial. There is no admission charge.

Balloon Quest begins with a preview night from 4 to 11 p.m. Wednesday. Amusement rides by Bartlebaugh Amusements will be open.

On Thursday and Friday, gates open at 4 p.m., and craft and food vendors will be on hand. The amusement rides also will be open from 4 to 11 p.m. those days.

The traditional “Nite Glow,” when the balloons are inflated after dark but remain earthbound, is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Thursday. The first launch is set for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The balloons are scheduled to fly again from 6 to 7 a.m. July 19. That will be followed by the Union Lions Club’s pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. at the fire hall. Gates to Balloon Quest open at noon, as do the amusement rides.

The July 19 schedule also includes a STAT Medevac medical helicopter demonstration at 3 p.m., tethered balloon rides from 3 to 5 p.m. and another balloon launch from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The event’s final balloon launch is scheduled for 6 to 7 a.m. July 20. Also that morning, there will be “Church Services in the Meadows” by Washington Alliance Union Church and registration for the Gearbusters Classic Car Show, both at 10.

Gates, vendors and carnival rides open at noon July 20, and a model airplane demonstration will begin at the same time.

At 1 p.m., the three-hour car show commences, and The Graduates will provide live entertainment during that same time span. They’ll be followed by The Dorals from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Balloon Quest wraps up with fireworks by Pyrotechnico at 10 p.m.

All balloon events take place weather permitting.