Festival of Ballooning 2018: Music, fun and, of course, balloons fill the air

READINGTON — It’s a lineup fitting for its status as the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America.

The 36th annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in Association with PNC Bank is known for its spectacular special shaped hot air balloons. This year’s Festival features the brand new 120-foot-tall QuickChek Saxophone and an encore from a 105-foot-tall Elvis balloon (complete with 40-foot-wide sunglasses and a sparkling white jump suit) among 10 special shapes scheduled to fly.

Joining this year's festival will be Andy Grammer, Laurie Berkner, Lifehouse and Creedence Clearwater Revisited. Revisited, which has been touring ever since the mid-1990s, will make their appearance on July 29.

For those who attend, founding member Stu Cook said that it's going to be "all Creedence, all night." 

Up to 100 hot air balloons from around the world will take flight twice each day over the Hunterdon County countryside at this year’s festival, running July 27, 28 and 29, at Solberg Airport in Readington. Upwards of 165,000 people are expected to enjoy the  spectacle with mass ascensions scheduled in the early mornings after sunrise and early evenings before sunset.

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Balloons

The balloons are the true stars of this international event. In addition to the saxophone, new gigantic, colorful and whimsical balloons this year are a 115-foot-tall blue puppy from Brazil, an 85-foot-tall Queen’s Guard from England, and the 75-foot-tall Yellow Bird and Rocket the Flying Squirrel cartoon character balloons.

Returning favorites include the five-story tall PNC Salutes America balloon, the world’s largest free-flying American flag; Elvis; the 110-foot-tall Unique Photo Panda; a 105-foot-tall white bear from Bimbo Bakeries; and the 80-foot-tall Pepsi football.

This year marks the 225th anniversary of the first successful manned hot air balloon flight in America (1793) and the 235th anniversary of the first manned hot air balloon flight in the world (the Montgolfier brothers in Paris in 1783).

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Music

PNC Bank presents pop star Andy Grammer (“Honey, I’m Good,” “Fine By Me”) in association with Magic 98.3 FM on Friday, July 27, followed by a fireworks extravaganza.

The New Jersey Lottery presents Lifehouse (“Hanging By a Moment”) on Saturday, July 28, in conjunction with the “Greatest Glow on Earth” nighttime hot air balloon glow, where balloons are inflated, tethered to the ground and lit up like giant lanterns near the concert stage.

Creedence Clearwater Revisited (“Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Looking Out My Back Door”) performs Sunday, July 29 in association with WCBS-FM 101.1.

Best-selling children’s recording artist Laurie Berkner opens with a concert for children ages 2 to 8 on Friday, July 27, presented by Hackensack Meridian Health.

Family entertainment

Named the premier family entertainment attraction in the state by the USA TODAY NETWORK, the festival offers three days of affordable family entertainment. In addition to the mass hot air balloon ascensions and daily concerts, there’s a fireworks display, a nighttime hot air balloon glow, death-defying stunts from world record human cannonball David “The Bullet” Smith, the Running with the Balloons 5K, children’s amusement rides and entertainment, exciting interactive exhibits from leading consumer brands and hundreds of crafters and food vendors.

Hot air balloons

Yes, you can go up, up and away in a beautiful balloon. More than 1,500 people will take a ride in a balloon, crossing it off their bucket lists or using this magic carpet ride in the sky to celebrate a special occasion or as a romantic way to propose or get married.

VIP experiences

Looking to enjoy the weekend but get away from the crowd? VIP options abound, from reserved concert seating to concert chalets for up to 15 people, to the Blue Sky Club VIP tent with priority viewing along the Balloon Launch Field and the Ketel One VIP Sunrise Balloon Breakfast.

Vendors

This year's Festival will also feature a variety of vendors from the tri-state area offering giveaways and products. Some companies will include Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Verizon Fios and SONY Playstation.

Verizon Fios will be offering a sweepstakes, where Fios customers or those eligible for Fios can win free service for five years and more than 30 devices like a 4K TV, gaming console, smart refrigerator and much more, a total value of more than $30,000. An I Love NY booth will also be set up, where festival guests are invited to learn everything they can about New York's travel opportunities.

Garden Spot Village, a retirement community in Pennsylvania, will also have a table at the event, and they will be offering a drawing for a free balloon ride for six and a drawing for free registration for four winners in their April 2019 half-marathon and 10K. They will also be offering information on their services, known as 'the Best 55 and over Community in the Region." TopGolf, which has a location in Edison, will be giving away $10 gameplay vouchers.

Dining

Title sponsor QuickChek has a 4,425-square-foot air-conditioned store on site providing festival-goers with the opportunity to enjoy the “Summer Sub Days” with oven-toasted subs as well as freshly prepared grab-and-go offerings along with an assortment of hot and cold beverages. The QuickChek Hospitality Tent provides a comfortable shaded area for families to relax in between balloon ascensions and concerts.

Crave Events Group, which owns several fine dining and catering venues including The Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station, is offering a variety of new premium dining options.

Giving back to the community

Continuing its belief in “doing well by doing good,” the festival is a large supporter of its local communities. The event has raised $2.75 million for a variety of local charities and non-profit groups including local volunteer ambulance corps, volunteer fire departments, and the Children’s Miracle Network specialized hospitals.

Its contributions are more than financial. The festival has invited the students, families, teachers and staff of East Brook Middle School affected by the Paramus school bus crash on May 17 that killed one student and one teacher with the hopes of lifting the community’s spirits by providing a positive memorable experience to help with their healing process. 

Tickets

Advance tickets are available at all QuickChek store locations, online at www.balloonfestival.com or by calling 1-800-HOT-AIR9.

Looking to get free tickets? Submit your ideas to MyCentralJersey.com of where you'd like to travel in a hot air balloon, and 17 lucky winners will get four tickets for them and their guests. Full details can be found on mycentraljersey.com. 

Contributing: Russ Mensch