The Hot Air Balloon Festivals of Warren County

May, 1, 2011

Eleven years ago when pilot Fred Grotenhuis mapped out his idea of a Balloon Festival at the Warren County Farmers’ Fair in Warren County, New Jersey, he had a model in mind. Fred insisted he wanted the Festival to be fun and laid back, and put safety first. He would say, “It should be like Glens Falls.” Many pilots across the nation know about the Adirondack Balloon Festival, or as many affectionately refer to it, Glens Falls. The website, www.adirondackballoonfest.org, accurately claims the festival to be the oldest and largest balloon event on the East Coast, with around 100 balloons consistently attending each year.

The festival itself is held in Glens Falls, NY, which coincidentally is in Warren County, New York. The festival was co-founded by Walt Grishkot, and he and his wife Joan volunteered their services to the festival for over 40 years. This year’s festival will be a time to look back over the years with thanks but also with sadness, as Walt passed away this spring.

The Adirondack Balloon Festival itself serves to deliver visitors to downtown Glens Falls and the Lake George area. It is free to attend the festival and organizers spend a great deal of effort driving visitors to the nearby downtowns and sponsors to spur the local economy. They are truly a community-oriented event and a tough act to follow. But Warren County, New Jersey tries and is succeeding.

From the first year with 15 balloons during 4 days of the event, to a week of flights and around 40 balloonists attending, the event has grown. To date 42 balloons have already committed to attend various days in 2011. Some come for the beginning of the week and head to Binghamton and some come all week. Organizer Giulia Iannitelli comments, “2010 was a year of miracles. We had over 47 balloons signed up. A hand-full were travelling from South Jersey and did not make the trip up because there were thunderstorms forecast every day of the week. Every morning we would check weather and see thunderstorms in the forecast, but every day they were pulled out of the forecast in time for us to launch all 7 nights of the fair!” She continues, “Pilots never need to apologize for not making the trip up or being here and deciding conditions just don’t suit them. We want to keep it fun for the pilots and not pressure them into doing something they do not feel safe doing.”

Community is also an important part of the Warren County, New Jersey balloon event. The Balloon Festival at the Warren County Farmers’ Fair is under the umbrella of the Fair and proceeds go back into next year’s Fair. The County fair is a place where farmers can educate visitors on the importance of agriculture. Youth groups like 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) showcase their projects and show off the skills they learn through their involvement with these programs. Food vending opportunities go primarily to local Granges (agricultural community organizations) and Lions Clubs. Many of these organizations still sell food at very affordable prices. You can find a decent meal for $5 and water at some places is still $1! The Kids’ Corral attracts families from across northern New Jersey and for good reason. Everything in the tent is free of charge for fairgoers and their little ones. For a low admission price of $6 for adults and $4 for kids ages 5-12 and free parking, one can be entertained for a good portion of the day or evening.

From the sky one sees the fall colors beginning at the Adirondack Balloon Festival, which runs Thursday through Sunday, the third week of September. In Warren County New Jersey, there is green as far as the eye can see. This festival always runs the week that August 1st falls within, always beginning on a Sunday and ending on a Saturday. Speaking of green, both festivals are frequented by the big, green, monster balloon – Airhead Invader. Legend has it this special shape balloon was discovered in a cornfield on the south side of the fairgrounds. Naturally as it feeds on corn and propane, the cornfield behind the Balloon Port made for a perfect home. It has also acquired a taste for pumpkins, which is why it also makes an appearance at the Last Fling Pumpkin Sling in October in Warren County, New Jersey.

For more information visit the websites:
www.warrencountyfarmersfair.org
www.adirondackballoonfest.org