​1:00  - 2:00 pm - Registration for Hot Rides & Hot Air Balloons Car & Truck Show (Saturday)

Download the details and Registration Form.

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1:00 - 8:00 pm (exact times will vary)

Gates Open - Games, Arts & Crafts, Informational and Non Profit Vendors, Food Trucks, Music - Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for the shows (please leave pets and alcohol home)​​​​

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Fascination Place Kids' Activity Area

Mini Golf, Crafts, Fun Puzzles and Games. Free crafts highlighting "flying things". Grins & Grins Juggling, Balloon Animals & Face Painting. All free for festival goers. Sponsored in part by New York Live, New Jersey​

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2 - 5 pm (Saturday) 

Hot Rides & Hot Air Balloons Car & Truck Show - with the legendary Doc South DJ'ing from 1-4pm

Registration from 1-2 pm. Top 10 Participant Judged Trophies  / People's Choice Trophy / Best of Show Trophy - Panel Judged, Awards Ceremony 5pm.

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2 - 6 pm

See Spot, the robot dog, in action as he takes a stroll around the walking trail. Ask questions and learn more about the Drones & Robotics program at the College.

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2 - 7 pm

Autocades - Check out some vintage video games! Purchase a wristband and play throughout the event. Wristbands are $10 per person or family pack for $20 (parents and one child). One can also use the game tickets purchased at the Balloon Ride Tent. (Sunday) 

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2:30 - 4:30 (Sunday) 

Balloons the Clown Comedy, magic, and audience participation.

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3 - 5 pm

Kudos! Barbershop Quartet (Saturday & Sunday) 

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3 - 6 pm

Stevie Vicks Acoustic Duo (Saturday) ​

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TimeWhys Band (Sunday)

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4-7 pm

Grins & Grins - learn circus tricks from the best! At the Fascination Place & strolling 

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4:30 pm (tentative start time)

Tethered Rides (weather permitting) $30 per adult $20 per youth ages 4-12 (Ages 3 and under free with paying adult and at the discretion of the pilot. No infants or toddlers) Proceeds benefit the Fred T Grotenhuis Veterans Community Center project.​​​​
 

5:15 pm 

Hot Air Balloons inflate & depart the field (may be delayed as late as 6:15 pm if it is windy.)

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6 - 8 pm

Dance Party with DJ Gold'N. k

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6:15 pm 

Meet the Pilot - Kids! Learn what it is like to be a hot air balloon pilot! Ask any questions you always wanted to know the answers to. Hop in the basket and the pilot can show you how it works!

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7:15

As the night falls, be ready for the Balloon Glow.

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Fred G Monster special shape balloon. This special shape balloon is amazing to watch as it transforms from a blob of green material into fangs, tentacles and antennas. Little kids that dare can get up close and personal, and collect some Halloween candy from Fred G, if they promise not to pull any mischievous pranks!

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*About Tethered Rides. Times on Tethered Rides are general and will be delayed if it is too windy. Once we begin, they will continue until the line is finished or weather prohibits. Tickets will be sold at the Balloon Ride Tent, once we have a general start time. We recommend not purchasing your non-refundable tickets before the balloon begins setup, which will be when the weather conditions safely allow.

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A note about your attendance and our preparations.

Balloons fly when the winds are most calm, which is in the evening about two hours before sunset. The balloons generally cannot be inflated in the afternoon.

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If you are looking for instant gratification, balloon festivals are not for you! Balloon inflations happen in the evenings when there is less wind. Sometimes we have to wait. Sometimes we can't inflate at all. Please keep this in mind, and plan your visit accordingly. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs to enjoy a nice day in the country (leave your pets and alcohol at home). Walk and explore the 1.2 mile walking trail on the campus. Take in the beauty of the campus and our country surroundings. 

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We know it is upsetting when the balloons do not go up, but we invest and work hard to provide other entertainment and activities. Additionally, we plan balloon ground shows to both demonstrate what strong winds can do to the balloons. Our pilots are always willing to answer questions once we open up the field for spectators.  But if the balloons do not go up we still need to pay our bills! Portajons, tent rentals, insurance and other entertainment  do not become free in that case! Therefore there can be no refunds if the balloons do not fly.  

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