The day after an amazing birthday party, Sparky's shiny balloon is all that remains of the celebration. When he loses the balloon, Sparky sinks into a major post-birthday slump. Meanwhile, Doug tends a rare cactus. Musician and author Ellie Holcomb visits and helps everyone see how happiness lasts only for a moment, but joy is a deeper thing that we never have to lose.

Tickets to Slugfest sold out in a few minutes time, and Doug, Sparky and Morty are all bummed to miss it. Maggie already has tickets, but hasn't told her friends because she doesn't have quite enough tickets for everyone. When author Dorena Williamson visits the workshop, they're excited to learn she's in charge of security at Slugfest this year, and is looking to hire a security team. The group sets off to impress her with their security-ninja skills. Will they prove they've got the right stuff? And will Maggie figure out what to do with her tickets?

Maggie Raccoon is focused on winning the upcoming Fantasticball tournament. When a teammate is injured at the last minute, can Maggie put her selfish ambitions aside and help her team play together? Meanwhile, slow-talking Doug struggles in his role as a sportscaster alongside the fast-talking Sparky. With helpful advice from Big Easy of the Harlem Globetrotters, can everyone discover the value of a team?

Maggie is excitedly working on the costume she'll wear to Inkli-Con (a convention for C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien fans). Meanwhile, Sparky learns the science behind how his tail lights up, and immediately becomes disenchanted with everything in life he previously thought of as magical and wonderful. When illusionist Bryan Drake drops by for a visit, he re-inspires the crew's curiosity and sense of wonder, and helps Sparky realize that there are many marvelous mysteries and true wonders in the universe God made.

Maggie Raccoon wins a visit from one of her heroes, sports-movie star Sam Superstar. But when Sam arrives, he's a little too impressed with himself to be very good company. Morty and Sparky are more interested in the shaved ice machine they are busy building, and also in the stories told by Sam Superstar's friendly security officer, Sgt. Bonita Blue. Even Maggie's excitement over meeting Sam soon fades, as she begins to realize that there are two kinds of cool, and one kind isn't that much fun to be around. Is there hope for Sam to learn what it means, not just to have fans and followers, but to actually have friends?

Doug the Slug's mom Trudy just returned from a trip to space and stops by the workshop for a visit. Meanwhile, Trudy introduces the crew to NASA astronaut Patrick Forrester. Sparky and Maggie are thrilled to get pointers on training for space travel from a real astronaut. When he puts them through some training drills, will they learn what it means to trust their mentor and pursue a goal with the tenacity they need to succeed?

Randall, Doug, and Sparky are invited to perform at the annual Lightning Bug Dance in the sky, but if they're going to give a concert at 5,000 ft., they'll need a hot air balloon and a lot of careful planning. There's not much space in the balloon basket, and Doug and Sparky can't agree on what they should pack. Adventurer and author Kevan Chandler comes to the rescue, challenging them to first consider the needs of the community they are serving. The crew discovers that every person has a unique role to play in a venture like this.

After Sparky is elected as Project Manager of the Wilderness Council, he decides to build a playground. Doug reveals to him that because green slugs have controlled the council for years, the yellow slugs have never had a playground near their homes. Pastor and author Mika Edmondson and Randall are busy getting ready for the International Neck-Wear Convention, but Mika takes some time to offer wisdom and insight into Sparky's dilemma. With the help of his friends, and against the traditional process of the council, Sparky proposes a new and fairer plan for the playgrounds. How will Wilderness Council president Beatrice Green Slug respond to Sparky's proposal?