nce again, the skies over Quechee and the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire will be filled with hot air balloons ushering in the annual Quechee Hot Air Balloon, Craft & Music Festival, the longest running hot air balloon festival in New England. Don’t miss this exciting festival featuring up to 20 hot air balloons with five flights scheduled throughout the festival and additional tethered rides during the day. Enjoy continuous music and entertainment for all ages, and over 60 craft artisans and commercial vendors. Children’s activities Euro Bungee, a Rock Climbing wall, bounce house and more. And of course there will be festival food with local healthy options and a beer and wine garden, with more surprises on site!

WHEN WILL I SEE BALLOONS?

The Hot Air Balloons are only on the field during flight times – Friday 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 6am – 6pm. All flights are wind and weather permitting. If the weather permits there will be one half-inflated balloon for kids to play in and one balloon offering tethered rides Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 3pm.

HOW LONG IS THE BALLOON RIDE?

The actual ride is between 30 – 40 minutes. However, the whole experience will take about 2 hours. You will have a chance to meet your pilot and crew before the flight; you might even be asked to help inflate the balloon. During the flight, your balloon will be followed by its “chase vehicle” that stays in radio contact with your pilot. On landing, you will have the opportunity to participate in the age-old tradition of sharing a bottle of champagne with passengers. You might be asked to help roll up the “envelope” (the actual balloon) and store it in the basket. The chase vehicle then transports you back to the starting point.

CAN MY ELDERLY PARENTS/YOUNG CHILDREN FLY?

Parents: If they are in good health, have strong legs and can climb in and stand in the basket, they are able to fly.

Children: A child cannot be held and has to be old enough to stand in the basket and see over the basket edge. Typically children need to be over 45 inches tall. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Ultimately, the PILOT makes the decision to accept or decline a passenger based on everyone’s safety.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHETHER THE BALLOONS WILL FLY OR NOT?

Our Balloonmeister has the final say. If weather conditions are questionable, he/she will make that decision 15 – 30 minutes prior to the scheduled flight time. Sometimes a flight time is delayed due to weather.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR MY BALLOON RIDE?

Wear comfortable shoes, such as sneakers, and layer your clothing.

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN FIT IN A BALLOON?

Our pilots can carry anywhere from 2 – 8 people per ride. This varies based on passengers weight and basket size. Groups of more than 4 may be split up, but we do our best of accommodate larger groups.  We encourage larger parties to book earlier.

HOW MUCH DOES A BALLOON RIDE COST?

A balloon ride is $245 per person (includes 6% VT sales tax). Pre-orders end Wednesday June 13th. Rides may also be available for purchase on the grounds during the festival.

CAN I PURCHASE A BALLOON RIDE ON THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS?

Yes, if there are rides remaining we will offer them for sale on the festival grounds starting when the gates open on Friday, June 15th at 3pm. However, demand has increased for our balloon rides over the last several years and it is possible that the rides will be SOLD OUT before the festival gates open.

WHERE CAN I GET A TETHERED RIDE?

Tethered rides, like ascension rides are dependent on wind and weather conditions. They will be offered on Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 3pm, permitting. They are available purchase on the grounds only for $20 a rider. They go up to 100 feet in the air and are held to the ground by ropes.

WHAT IS THE BALLOON RIDE REFUND POLICY?

If a passenger decides to cancel PRIOR to June 5, 2018, a refund will be made less a $50 administrative fee. If the cancellation is AFTER June 5, 2018 or during the festival, no refund will be made. If the flight is cancelled due to weather conditions and we cannot book you on another flight, your money will be refunded as a credit to the purchasing card. You MUST BE PRESENT at the time of your ride to be issued a refund or rescheduled.

Book your Balloon Ride on the field during the festival

Choose from the 5 ascensions over the weekend:

Friday 6:00 p.m.*

Saturday 6:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.*

Sunday 6:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.*

Tethered Balloon Rides* are available Saturday & Sunday between ascensions, weather permitting. You may purchase a tethered ride at the festival, they are not available for pre-order.

*All Balloon Flights are wind and weather permitting*

The Hot Air Balloons are only on the field during flight times. If the weather permits there will be one half-inflated balloon for kids to play in and one balloon offering tethered rides Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 3pm.

Please note that we can only guarantee that parties of four or fewer will be able to ride in the same balloon together. Parties of more than four may need to be split up into two different balloons. We will always do our best to keep larger parties together if at all possible.

Refund Policy: If a passenger decides to cancel PRIOR to June 4, 2018, a refund will be made less a $50 administrative fee. If the cancellation is AFTER June 4, 2018 or during the festival, no refund will be made. If the flight is cancelled due to weather conditions and we cannot book you on another flight, your money will be refunded as a credit to the purchasing card. You MUST BE PRESENT at the time of your ride to be issued a refund or rescheduled.*