Events

Special Agent Grant Permenter of the FBI Dallas Field Office will provide an inside look at the most pressing violent crime, narcotics, and gang threats impacting North Texas today. The presentation will highlight current trends, evolving criminal activity, and the challenges facing law enforcement across the region, while offering insight into how the FBI works with local, state, and federal partners to disrupt criminal networks and help keep North Texas communities safe.

2026 marks 46 years of Ballooning in Plano and Collin County! Join in the Celebration at the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival, a spectacular four-day event. Wednesday, September 16th will be a setup day for us. The event itself begins at 5:00 pm Thursday, September 17th and goes through Sunday, the 20th at 11:00 am.  Finally, we will have our teardown Sunday afternoon. 

This weekend event offers something for everyone; entertainment on the Main Stage, special kid’s activities, sky divers, an enormous variety of food to tempt your taste buds, merchandise and handmade products showcased, and of course the incredible hot air balloons. The balloons will be in the park Thursday at 7 pm, Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 7 am and 7 pm, and Sunday at 7 am (weather permitting).

Plano West Rotary Club has two funnel cake booths at the Festival. The Plano Balloon Festival is our club's "flagship" fundraiser. Every dollar made goes directly back into our community through donations and service projects. We need a lot of manpower to make the event successful. Join us for one or multiple shifts, and bring your spouse/partner and teenagers (ages 14+). It will be a fun event with friends and family!

Volunteers will:
- Add powdered sugar to already-cooked funnel cakes
- Cook the funnel cakes (with some training)
- Serve and interact with customers
- Possibly assist Rotarians with cashier duties
- Help set up or clean up the booth

All volunteers get a free pass to attend the festival, as well as a free Rotary t-shirt and all-you-can-eat funnel cake :)

Youth ages 14-17 can volunteer with Plano West Rotary Club unaccompanied and must have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian. 

Youth ages 13 and under cannot volunteer for this specific project.

Questions? Contact David Rankin - davidrrankin@me.com or 972-342-1817.

Volunteer instructions:

1. Show up on time! It is very important that you show up for the shift you signed up for. If you cannot attend, please un-sign up on the SignUp Genius and also text David Rankin: 972-342-1817.

2. What to Wear: Wear your blue Rotary t-shirt, comfortable closed-toe shoes, and a hat or other head covering to the event. Long hair should be pulled back. If you do not have a Rotary t-shirt, we will provide you with one.

3. Parking: The festival location for your GPS is 2800 E Spring Creek Parkway (Collin College).

- If you have already picked up a volunteer parking pass and entry wristband from Mike Walker, you can park in the VIP/Volunteer Parking Lot, which is accessible by taking Parker Road to Jupiter Road, and then turning onto Bill Crawford Circle.

- If you do not have a parking pass and entry wristband, your Rotary t-shirt will probably still get you into the VIP/Volunteer Parking Lot.

- If you do not have a parking pass and entry wristband OR Rotary t-shirt, you may have to park in the general attendee parking. This is at Collin College 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway or the Plano Event Center 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway.

- Allow PLENTY of time to find parking and to walk into the festival before your shift begins. Or consider getting dropped off and picked up when your shift ends.

4. Festival Entrance: Look for the main entrance tent. Tell the festival staff you are volunteering with Rotary. If you are charged a fee to park and/or enter the festival, tell a Rotarian at your shift and we will reimburse you.

5. How to Find Us: Volunteers signed up for either Trailer Team or Booth Team** on the SignUp Genius. Trailer Team is located right at the bottom of the hill on Spring Creek Parkway. Booth Team is in the parking lot with the other Food Court tents. We are the only vendor selling funnel cakes, so look for large “Funnel Cakes” signs.

🎡 Sweet Success: Funnel Cakes & Festival Fun! 🎡

Join us behind the scenes of Plano West Rotary Club’s legendary funnel cake booth at the Plano Balloon Festival. From early morning setups to the final powdered sugar dusting, hear about the teamwork, challenges, laughs, and record-breaking sales that made this year’s event a delicious triumph. Get the scoop on how your volunteer hours turned calories into community impact – and maybe a few fun stories you didn’t catch in the fryer line!

Join us as we welcome Rotary District 5810 Governor Mike Callahan for his official visit to the Plano West Rotary Club. DG Mikey will share his vision and priorities for the Rotary year, highlight opportunities for service and engagement, and inspire us with stories of Rotary’s impact locally and globally. This is a special chance to hear directly from our District leader and celebrate Rotary fellowship together.