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About Warren County Farmers’ Fair Balloon Festival




Saturday July 28 thru Saturday, August 4, 2018

Mass Hot Air Balloon launches every evening – 6:30 PM
Up to 30 Hot Air balloons take to the sky promptly at 6:30. Don't be late, you won't want to miss this spectacular event. Spectators may feel free to walk over from the fairgrounds to the Balloon Port and watch the launch close up. Opening Day Saturday, Sunday, Friday and Closing Day Saturday will feature a Hare and Hound race.

Tethered Rides – Times and Days TBA
Hot air balloons will be giving tethered balloon rides. Ever wonder what it's like to go up but too scared to actually go? Give a tethered balloon ride a try. ($10 per person). Tethers will be offered as wind conditions allow.


The Races & Contests:

Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29
Hare & Hound Race 
The first balloon off the field is the hare balloon. This balloon lands and puts out a giant “X”. The other pilots try to follow in its tracks. Each pilot has a bean bag they will throw if they come close to the “X”. The pilot that throws closest to the center of the “X” wins.

Wednesday, August 1
Bicycle Balloon Race – Download the details
Bicyclists and balloonists pair up for a challenging Bicycle Race. Participating pilots will launch with a bike and bicyclist. After flying for a predetermined distance or amount of time, the pilot will land and let the bicyclist out, who then must cycle back to the Fairgrounds. The team who returns to the Fairgrounds first wins a cash prize. All entry fees for the race will be donated to a local charity.

This year's proceeds will go towards the Fred Grotenhuis Memorial Scholarships.

Rain date for this event will be Thursday, August 1, 2018. 

The Balloon Festival in Warren County, NJ is held annually at the Warren County Farmers' Fair. Admission is affordable at $7 per adult and $4 for children ages 5-12, children 4 & under free and parking is also free. Admission is for the Fair and Balloon Festival, so you get two events for the price of one! This year the Fair celebrates 81 years of affordable family fun. The Balloon Festival is celebrating it's 18th year at the Fair.

The event is two events in one - a balloon festival and a county fair and a great adventure for the entire family. Click on the link above to explore what is happening during the entire week of the Fair and Balloon Festival. Check out the Kids Corral.

The Fair officially opens at 12 noon on Saturday. Opening Day Saturday kicks off a little early, at 8 am, with the Invitational Wrestling Tournament and Miniature Horse show (but please note food, vendor booths and exhibit buildings may not be open until the official open time.)

If you have never been to a Hot Air Balloon Festival. There will also be mass hot air balloon launches each evening of the fair at 6:30 pm, weather permitting.

Hot Air Balloon Rides are available for $205 per person on Saturdays and Sundays, and $195 per person on weekdays. Major credit cards are accepted and full refunds are given should we cancel your ride due to inclement weather. To schedule your ride at the Balloon Festival with festival coordinators Balloonatics & Aeronuts LLC, call 908-283-0721 or email fly@njballoonrides.com.

Tethered Rides will be offered during the week. Times will be announced, based on wind conditions. Enjoy a short trip to tree-top level – the best view of the Fair is from the air! Visit www.warrencountyfarmersfair.org for a complete overview of the Fair.

If you are wondering how a Farmers' Fair and a Balloon Festival end up coming together, I guess you can say farm animals and ballooning go way back. Click here for a history of ballooning.

Wednesday night, August 1, the Balloon Festival will hold the 11th Annual Bicycle Balloon Race, with a rain date of Thursday, August 2, 2018. All of the funding raised from biker registrations go toward the Fred Grotenhuis Memorial Scholarships.

Dont miss the mass balloon launches Saturday, July 28 through Saturday August 4, 2018. Please note, the balloons launch in the evenings. Plan your trip accordingly. See our FAQ's to learn more about the times of day balloons can fly.

Friday, August 3 & Saturday, August 4
Hare & Hound Race
The first balloon off the field is the hare balloon. This balloon lands and puts out a giant “X”. The other pilots try to follow in its tracks. Each pilot has a bean bag they will throw if they come close to the “X”. The pilot that throws closest to the center of the “X” wins.


Click here for a complete schedule of events of the Warren County Farmers' Fair. Admission to the Fair and Balloon Festival in Warren County NJ is $7 per adult, $4 per children ages 5-12 and ages 4 and under are Free. Parking is also Free.

 If you are interested in crewing for one of the balloon pilots, be sure to stop by the Balloon Rides Tent on the Fairgrounds.

 

Unfortunately, the ballooning activity is weather permitting. Safety is first and foremost with Balloonatics & Aeronuts. Total refund if your flight is canceled, however no refunds on admission to the fair if the balloon events are canceled due to unsafe flying/inflation conditions.