Sachin Walls
The Festival of Ballooning, held at Solberg Airport in Readington, New Jersey, is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. The festival, usually held at the end of July, features mass hot air balloon inflations and ascensions, headlining concerts, family entertainment, vendors, food, fireworks, and more. The 40th annual festival, held from July 28 to July 30, 2023, featured 75 balloons from across the country flying twice a day over Hunterdon County.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | New Jersey Festival of Ballooning |
| Location | Solberg Airport, Readington, NJ |
| Dates | Friday, July 28th, Saturday, July 29th, or Sunday, July 30th |
| Time | 6:30 am to 6:30 pm |
| Year | 2023 |
| Anniversary | 40th |
| Tickets | Adults: $32, Children (4-12): $12, Children (3 and under): Free |
| Parking | $10 per vehicle |
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What You'll Learn
- The festival is held annually at the end of July
- It is the largest summertime hot air balloon festival in North America
- The event features up to 100 balloons of various shapes and sizes
- It is held at Solberg Airport in Readington, New Jersey
- The festival also includes headlining concerts, family entertainment, vendors, and fireworks
The festival is held annually at the end of July
The Festival of Ballooning at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ, is held annually at the end of July. The festival is a celebration of hot air balloons and music, and it is the largest summertime event of its kind in North America.
For a few days at the end of July each year, the skies above Solberg Airport come alive with the colours and shapes of up to 100 hot air balloons. The festival has been a regular fixture on the summer calendar for over 40 years, attracting visitors and ballooning enthusiasts from across the globe. The 40th edition of the festival took place from Friday, July 28th to Sunday, July 30th, 2023.
The Festival of Ballooning is a visual spectacle, with mass hot air balloon inflations and ascensions scheduled twice daily, at 6:30 am and 6:30 pm. These mass ascensions see an array of uniquely shaped and vividly coloured balloons take to the skies, creating a breathtaking display. The balloons range from whimsical designs, such as an 80-foot Anniversary Cake to a 62-foot Yoda, a 70-foot replica of the first hot air balloon, and a bright pink Lucky Pig.
The festival also features headlining concerts, family entertainment, crafters and vendors, delicious food options, and even fireworks. It is a true community event, with something for everyone to enjoy. The festival has earned well-deserved recognition, receiving the New Jersey Governor's Award for Best Special Event and being named a Top 100 Festival in North America by the American Bus Association.
The event organisers pay close attention to the comfort and safety of attendees, especially during hot weather conditions. They provide various amenities, including misting tents, shade tents, water refilling facilities, and additional water stands to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all visitors.
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It is the largest summertime hot air balloon festival in North America
The New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, held at Solberg Airport in Readington, is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. The festival, usually held at the end of July, has been a staple of the town for the past 40 years, with the 41st anniversary postponed until 2025.
The event attracts a large crowd, with people travelling from New York, Philadelphia, and even as far as Boston to witness the impressive collection of hot air balloons from all around the world. The festival features mass hot air balloon inflations and ascensions, with up to 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons taking flight twice daily. Some of the most notable balloons from previous years include a 62-foot-tall Yoda, a 70-foot-tall replica of the first hot air balloon flight, and a 65-foot-tall, 750-pound bright pink Lucky Pig.
The festival offers a variety of entertainment for the whole family, including headlining concerts, non-stop family entertainment, hundreds of crafters and vendors, delicious food options, and a spectacular display of fireworks. It has received the New Jersey Governor's Award for Best Special Event and has been designated as a Top 100 Festival in North America by the American Bus Association.
The New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning is more than just a spectacle of colour and flight; it's an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the magic of ballooning. The festival's executive producer, Howard Freeman, emphasised the importance of ensuring the comfort and safety of attendees, especially during periods of dangerous heat. The festival provides various amenities, such as misting tents, shade tents, water refilling stations, and water stands, to ensure a comfortable experience for all.
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The event features up to 100 balloons of various shapes and sizes
The New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, held at Solberg Airport, is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. The festival, which is held annually, features up to 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons from around the world. The balloons take off twice daily, at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., weather permitting.
The festival celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023. It is usually held at the end of July, but its 41st anniversary, which was supposed to be held in 2024, has been postponed until 2025.
The event features an eclectic collection of hot-air balloons of various shapes and sizes. Some of the most notable balloons from previous years include a 62-foot-tall Yoda, a 70-foot-tall replica of the first hot-air balloon flight with a sheep, duck, and rooster as its passengers, and an 807-pound, 80-foot-tall Anniversary Cake balloon. There is also a 110-foot bumblebee balloon, which is piloted by Michael Glen.
The festival is a popular event for balloon enthusiasts and photographers alike. It is the most photographed event on the East Coast, and workshops are held to teach attendees how to photograph the hot air balloons as they are inflating, launching, and flying.
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It is held at Solberg Airport in Readington, New Jersey
The Festival of Ballooning, also known as the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning, is held at Solberg Airport in Readington, New Jersey. The festival, which is considered the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America, has been a staple of the Readington community for over 40 years.
Solberg Airport, located at 30 or 39 Thor Solberg Road in Whitehouse Station, NJ, is the perfect setting for this colourful and whimsical event. The airport provides ample space for the mass hot air balloon inflations and ascensions that take place twice daily during the festival. With up to 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons taking part, the festival offers a visually stunning spectacle that has earned it the title of the most photographed event on the East Coast.
The Festival of Ballooning typically takes place towards the end of July, with the 41st anniversary being an exception, postponed until 2025. It is a three-day event, with balloons from across the country flying twice a day over Hunterdon County. The early morning and evening flight times, at 6:30 am and 6:30 pm respectively, are strategically chosen to showcase the beauty of the balloons as they fill the sky.
In addition to the breathtaking visuals of the balloons, the festival offers a range of other attractions for all ages. From headlining concerts and family entertainment to crafters, vendors, and delicious food options, there is something for everyone. Fireworks and a balloon glow add to the magical atmosphere. The festival has even been recognised with the New Jersey Governor's Award for Best Special Event and has been designated a Top 100 Festival in North America by the American Bus Association.
Solberg Airport in Readington, New Jersey, serves as the ideal backdrop for this annual celebration of ballooning, providing a spacious and scenic location that contributes to the festival's enduring popularity and success.
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The festival also includes headlining concerts, family entertainment, vendors, and fireworks
The New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning, held at Solberg Airport, is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. The festival celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023, and over the last four decades, it has become one of the Garden State's favourite family attractions.
The festival features mass hot air balloon inflations and ascensions, with 75 balloons from across the country flying twice a day. One of the highlights is the 80-foot, 807-pound Anniversary Cake hot air balloon, which was inflated during the kickoff of the festival in 2023. The event also includes headlining concerts, with well-known artists performing for the audience.
For families, the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning offers a range of entertainment options. The magic of hot air ballooning captivates people of all ages, and the festival provides a unique and whimsical experience. It's a chance for families to come together and share the joy of ballooning, with the beautiful countryside, farms, fields, forests, small towns, and church steeples of Hunterdon County as their backdrop. The festival also offers other family-friendly activities, such as meeting the pilots and crew, learning about ballooning, and enjoying the excitement of seeing the balloons take off and light up the sky.
The festival also has a variety of vendors offering food, drinks, and other attractions. With the support of sponsors like the New Jersey Lottery, the event is able to provide a range of amenities and comforts for attendees. This includes misting tents, shade tents, water refill stations, and more, ensuring that visitors can stay cool and comfortable during the festival.
Finally, the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning often includes fireworks to cap off the festivities. The combination of hot air balloons, music, family fun, and fireworks creates a magical and memorable experience for all who attend. The festival has become a beloved tradition, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate the beauty and excitement of hot air ballooning.
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Frequently asked questions
The balloon festival at Solberg Airport usually takes place at the end of July. The 41st anniversary of the festival was postponed until 2025.
The festival is held at Solberg Airport in Readington, New Jersey.
The best way to get to the festival is by car. It's approximately 1 hour by car from New York City, 1 hour and 10 minutes from Philadelphia, and 4 hours and 30 minutes from Boston.
The festival features mass hot air balloon inflations and ascensions, headlining concerts, family entertainment, vendors, food, and fireworks.
