INDIANOLA, Iowa — Although the National Balloon Museum isn’t ready to reopen yet, people will be able to go inside this weekend for the first time since the fire. 

On Sunday, the National Balloon Museum is hosting the United States Ballooning Hall of Fame event. Three hot air balloon pilots will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

“We have put a lot of work and effort into making this as best as we can under the circumstances of not being reopened,” said Kendra Minks, museum operations manager.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

This comes after an electrical fire destroyed the museum’s inventory in April 2024. Museum officials hoped to reopen by the National Balloon Classic which starts on Friday in Indianola; however, this won’t be the case. 

While the inside of the museum was restored, all the artifacts are still in a facility in Michigan being cleaned and restored, according to Minks. The museum is scheduled to have this inventory returned in August. 

Minks said they’re expecting two semi-trucks full of artifacts, but they’re unsure what conditions the artifacts are in. New inventory will also be purchased. 

Minks said the museum will also catalog its inventory differently now. Before the fire, they used an Excel sheet to catalog, but now they’re switching to a software system that many museums use. She said it will take some time for them to make sure it’s done correctly. 

While it’s unknown when the museum will fully reopen to visitors, the public is welcome to go inside for the first time this weekend. 

The community has supported the museum during its recovery efforts. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were donated to the museum. The public can still donate to the museum online, which will help purchase new inventory. 

Minks previously told WHO 13 News that the cost of restoration is just shy of $2 million.