This Labor Day weekend, prepare for an uplifting, illuminating experience—for real—at the 31st annual Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival, presented by JPMorgan Chase in Union Vale.
Hot-air balloonists from all over the country are traveling to Tymor Park for three days of high-flying fun this September 2-4. Festival attendees can witness over 100 planned balloon launches scheduled throughout the weekend. All full hot-air balloon flights for the festival have sold out, however, anyone still hoping to book a flight can come to the Balloon Rides tent on-site at the festival to add their name to a waiting list, in the event of any cancellations or no-shows. Wait list additions will not be taken via the phone or email. Instead, try a tethered balloon ride ($25) or a helicopter flight ($80), both of which are also on offer during the weekend.
There will also be food and souvenir vendors aplenty, as well as a beer and wine tent and lawn games the whole family can enjoy, such as barrel pong, corn hole, and giant Jenga. Live music is scheduled each evening from 3-8pm from featured musicians Jordan Stoner, Lucky House, and Seven Days Gone. Along with balloon moon glows, fireworks are scheduled to light up the sky after dark.
Pre-registration to the Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival is required and no tickets will be sold at the gate. Tickets range in price from $8 per person for morning admission to $25.95 per person for a weekend all-access pass, with tickets offered free for children under the age of three. Balloon launches and helicopter rides are sold separately from festival admission. Activities on the ground are rain or shine; however, balloon launches are weather and wind-permitting and are at the sole discretion of the pilots, and refunds will not be offered if launches are not held.
The festival is presented by the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce and JPMorgan Chase. Sponsors include Bottini Fuel, Sloop Brewing/Craft New York, and Q92.1 FM. To learn more about the festival, purchase admission tickets, or reserve your hot-air balloon or helicopter ride, visit Balloonfesthv.com.
