Hot Air Ballooning

Ballooning Festivals

Over the past couple of decades, ballooning festivals have flourished in Vermont. The ballooning is often just the anchor for wide ranging festivals that offer entertainment, food, crafts and more, and the four listed here draw large crowds every year. In other words, make reservations early if you want lodging anywhere near the festivals when they are happening.

Stoweflake Balloon Festival Running July 12-14 in 2002, the Stoweflake Balloon Festival is in its 16th year at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa (in Stowe). This annual event features music, food, acitvities for children and sunrise and twilight launches of some two dozen balloons. Balloon rides can be purchased (see the site for more information) and the nominal admission price enteres you in a raffle for the chance to win a balloon flight and other prizes. Quechee Balloon Festival Located a couple of miles from the famous Quechee Gorge in the village of Quechee (town of Hartford), the Quechee Balloon Festival is in its 23rd year. In addition to twenty balloons launching at dawn and in the evening, this festival features a wide range of entertainment (ex. music, clowns, puppeteers) and a sizable (fifty vendors) craft show. You can even enjoy a classic car show on Sunday. The Quechee Balloon Festival runs every year over Father's Day Weekend, which occurs June 14-16 in 2002.

Lake Champlain Balloon Festival

The Lake Champlain Balloon Festival is probably the largest balloon festival in the state. It features over thirty-five balloons launching each morning and evening, and hosts a variety of other activities, such as children's amusement rides, a renewable energy show, food vendors, entertainment and skydiving exhibitions. Those hanging out late Friday night (rain date Saturday night) will even be treated to a fireworks display. The Festival will not be held in 2002, but will return in June 2003, at the Addison County Field Days Site in New Haven.

Experimental Balloon Meet

The Experimental Balloon Meet is a yearly get-together of the Experimental Balloon and Airship Association at the Post Mills Airport in Post Mills. This meet features three days of launches of homemade, experimental and ultralight hot air airships, gas balloons and gas airships. While the meet was not held in 2002, it normally meets every May.