The Adirondack Balloon Festival comes to the area for the 41st time September 19-22, with events in Glens Falls and Queensbury.
The festival is free and open to the public. All balloon flights, however, are weather permitting.
Organizers noted that the festival has been listed among the Top 100 Events in North America, an annual listing of the American Bus Association, an annual compendium of the best events for group travel in the United States and Canada.
Through the years, the event has drawn international exposure for the Glens Falls region with relationships being formed with cities like Saga, Japan and Gatineau, Quebec. It draws balloonists from across the United States but also internationally based pilots, according to organizers.
The event draws upwards of 150,000 people over four days, festival officials said.
Events get underway Thursday, Sept. 19, at Crandall Park in Glens Falls with music at 4:30 p.m. from the Stony Creek Band, leading up to opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. Shortly after, there will be a launch of 20 balloons.
From 6-9:30 p.m., the city of Glens Falls Block Party will feature a balloon walk-about, a car show, activities for children and fireworks.
Saturday’s events at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury include a breakfast at 5 a.m. Soon after, vendors open up and there are activities for children. A flight of 100 balloons is slated for 6:30 a.m. Live music runs from 2-5 p.m. loo sight is set for 5 p.m. The “Lighting Up The Night – Moonglow,” features 20-plus balloons glowing through the autumn night.
Sunday also has a breakfast at 5 a.m., with balloons taking flight at 6:30 a.m. Vendors and activities are similar to Saturday.
The festival winds down on Sunday night by moving back to Crandall Park, with music from the Jonathan Newell Band from 2-5 p.m. The final balloon launch of the weekend is scheduled for 5 p.m. when 20-plus balloons will take to the skies.
The festival is a produced by not-for-profit organization. Funding is raised by volunteers and organizers stated it would not be possible without the tremendous community support each year.
For more information, visit www.adirondackballoonfest.org.