Adirondack Balloon Festival

I first became aware of the Adirondack Balloon Festival when traveling up the Adirondack Northway (I-87) for a weekend Adirondack Mountain getaway. It was a beautiful September morning with not a cloud in the sky and the autumn leaves were nearly at their peak (… Autumn in the Adirondacks is an experience you truly should not miss!)

The hot air balloons were an awesome sight! The colors were brilliant! Many with amusing shapes (… such as a Bumble Bee, Lady Bug, Dog, Polar Bear, Alien, and many more!).

We stopped off the next exit to get a better view and asked people what event was going on. We decided right then and there that we would add the Adirondack Balloon Festival to our list of activities in the Adirondacks to attend the next year!

The Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival is a four day event (… Thursday – Sunday) held each year during mid to late September. Check out my Adirondack events calendar for the specific dates for this year.

The Adirondack Balloon Festival is open to the public free of charge (… but don’t bring your dog as dogs are not allowed!). The balloon flights are scheduled ahead of time but only fly weather permitting.

We found out the hard way! We took one of our Adirondack day trips on a sunny Sunday afternoon only to find out that flights were canceled due to the wind. So call ahead of time to be sure.

The schedule of activities may vary from year to year so also check that out. The years we attended, the schedule looked something like this:

Thursday:

• Opening Ceremony, Crandall Park - City of Glens Falls, (5:00pm)

• Flight of a dozen or so hot air balloons Entertainment by a local band

Friday:

• Balloon Launch of more than 50 balloons, some with unique shapes, Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport - Town of Queensbury (5:00 pm)

• Glen Street block party, City of Glens Falls (5:30pm to 9:30pm)

• Band performances, classic cars on display, meet & greet balloonists, model trains, Children’s activities, shops and restaurants, City of Glens Falls (5:30pm to 9:30pm)

• Fireworks, City of Glens Falls - Centennial Circle (9:30pm)

Saturday:

• Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport - Town of Queensbury "Big Balloon Breakfast", (5:00am - 11:00am)

• Civic organizations food and beverages, Airport Hanger (6:00am - 7:00pm)

• Balloon Launch of more than 90 balloons, some with distinctive shape balloons (6:30am & 5:00pm)

• Fun/entertainment for kids, kite flying, rock climbing wall, balloon art show, military aircraft display, (6:00am - 5:00 pm)

• DJ with music/entertainment, tent

Sunday:

• Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport - Town of Queensbury "Big Balloon Breakfast", (5:00am - 11:00am)

• Civic organizations food and beverages, Airport Hanger (6:00am - 5:00pm)

• Balloon Launch of more than 90 balloons, some balloons with fun/interesting shapes (6:30am)

• Fun/entertainment for kids, kite flying, rock climbing wall, balloon art show, military aircraft display, (6:00am - 12 noon)

• Band performances (2:00pm - 5:00pm)

• Flight of 15-20 balloons for people looking for a balloon flight at cost/person/ride (5:00pm)

The Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival is a “must see event” ! (… I understand one of the top 100 events in the country according to event goers of the American Bus Association)!

Hey … It better be if you have to get up at 5am to attend the festivities!!! (… but they do fly in the late afternoon too!)

One piece of advice If you plan to attend. … Leave early! The traffic is very heavy as all roads lead into the road where the airport is located. If you don’t leave early you may spend over an hour or more in the car just to go a couple of miles and end up missing the balloon flights (… it happened me and I’m sure plenty of others too )!Oh yeah …. Don’t forget your camera for some fantastic Adirondack mountain photographs!

Directions

• Take exit 19 off of I-87 (The Adirondack Northway)

• Go east on Quaker Rd (Rt 254)

• Turn left onto Ridge Rd (Route 9L)

• Turn right onto Hicks Rd.

• The Airport and Festival Entrance is on the right

Location & Contact Information:

• Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport~Warren County Airport

• 443 Queensbury Ave

• Queensbury, Adirondacks, NY, 12804

• Phone: (518) 792-2600