Special Edition for Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival | Explore Warren

 

Warren County Wanderings

Special Edition for Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival

For the past two decades, Warren County has been the home of an annual hot air balloon festival. This year, there are three, with the first of the trio coming your way this week!

The Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival is getting ready to launch this Thursday, June 3, and run through Sunday, June 6, 2021, at the Warren County Community College main campus in Washington, NJ. Explore Warren County Tourism Partnership is pleased to be a festival sponsor, and so we are sending you this special edition of Warren County Wanderings devoted to the festival. NOTE: Due to the rainy weather, Thursday's activities have been canceled and the festival will open on Friday, June 4.

Though this will be the first event of its kind at the College, this is not the first balloon festival held at the venue. Last year, when the Warren County Farmers’ Fair – an event that had hosted the balloons for 19 years – cancelled, long-time sponsor Warren County Community College and the balloon festival organizer, Giulia Grotenhuis, teamed up to bring the community some flying fun in August 2020. The plan was to return to the Farmers' Fair in 2021, but the festival based at the college proved so popular - with many traveling more than two hours to attend - that the team involved decided to give the people more!

This year the balloon festival organizers and Warren County Community College team up again for two more festivals at the College. For Warren County fairgoers, rest assured the balloons will return to the event that will run from Saturday, July 31 to Saturday August 7, at the Fairgrounds in Harmony Township, and the third festival will be held at the College in September.

The gates for the first event will open on Thursday, June 3 at 2pm, and the festival runs each day from 2-9pm. Each of the four days features music, activities for kids and adults alike, arts & crafts vendors and exhibitors, a variety of food trucks, and, of course, hot air balloons!

Weather permitting, the balloons will launch each evening at 6:30pm. Flights are available! You can book either a flight or a tethered balloon ride to get a bird's eye view of the festival.

The Warren County Community College campus, located at 475 Route 57, Washington, NJ, 07882, has plenty of lawn to spread out and social distance. Pets, food and alcoholic beverages are prohibited (with the exception of snacks & beverages for small children). Feel free to bring blankets, lawn chairs, small games like quoits and corn hole. Any Covid-19 rules issued by the State of New Jersey at the time of the event will be followed.

Proceeds from the event will support the Warren County Community College Foundation, as well as the Fred T. Grotenhuis Veterans Community Center project and the Fred Grotenhuis scholarships.

Here are the details on admission:
Advance Tickets: Click here to buy tickets in advance.
Adult: $9, plus tax & handling fee.
Youth ages 4-12: $4.5, plus tax & handling fee.
Ages 3 & Under: Free
Parking: $10/car

At the Gate:
Only available if Covid-19 rules allow for capacity.
Cash only. $10 Adult, $5 Children. Includes tax & handling fee.
Parking: $10/car

Visit www.balloonfestnj.com/more-festivals.html for all the details on admission, parking, tethered and full balloon flight, and for online tickets for admission and balloon rides.

Read on for more about balloon rides, entertainment, and other features of the Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival!

See you at the balloon festival. Happy Wanderings!

More Things to Do: 

What to Expect

If you have never attended a hot air balloon festival before, here is what to expect: Balloons are normally on display in the evenings, prior to the scheduled launch time. One tether balloon will set up around 3pm for tethered rides. To date, 20 balloons are schedule to attend, include the sponsor balloon of presenting sponsor, Alston Construction LLC, as well as sponsor Unity Bank and RE/MAX. Balloons are powered by AmeriGas. Other activities continue throughout festival hours. So bring chairs or blankets to relax and watch the balloons go up, stroll around, listen to music, check out the artisans and crafters, get a bite to eat, and enjoy a day in beautiful Warren County, NJ!

Balloon Rides

The festival is exciting from the ground, but there's nothing like a ride in a hot air balloon! Especially when you're rising into the sky with 20 other brightly colored hot air balloons. Then cruise with the breezes over the bucolic Warren County countryside, and see where the wind takes you. Here's the pricing, Exclusive Couples Flight: $610. Exclusive 3 Passenger Flight: $750. Single Passenger: $225 (not exclusive). Click here to book your hot air balloon ride!

Tethered Balloon Rides

Want to take a ride, but not sure if you're ready for a free-floating adventure? Try a tethered balloon ride! One tether balloon will set up around 3pm for tethered rides. For $15 per person, take a short trip up and down for a nice view of the festivities from the air. The timing may change if the winds are not conducive to handling the balloon in a safe manner.

See the Vietnam War Bell Helicopter "Huey"

Have Huey Will Travel will have their Bell Helicopter "Huey", a rare survivor of the Vietnam War, on display from 2-7:30pm on Friday, June 4. Children of all ages can get inside, pretend they are piloting, and learn the story of this historic aircraft. It has quite a history, as it began her service life with the U.S. Army in November of 1967. She served in Vietnam from October 1968 to August 1970 with the 119th AHC, and then again March 1971 until September 1971 with a gunship platoon the 174th AHC, that went by the name “Sharks”. This display is a special tribute to Fred Grotenhuis, the founder of the Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Warren County Farmers’ Fair. Fred was a Huey helicopter pilot who served in Vietnam, and continues to be with the balloon festivals at the college and at the Farmers' Fair in spirit.

Cooperative Masterpiece Painting Session for Kids

Friday only, world-renowned artist Ryan Paul Simmons will be on site from 3-6pm, working with kids on a big canvas, helping them create a cooperative masterpiece, to be auctioned off at a later date. Children are invited to join Ryan but keep in mind they will be handling paints, so make sure they are dressed for the potential mess! NOTE: This event was postponed from Thursday.

Balloons Over Warren County Painting Workshop - CANCELED BY WEATHER

NOTE: This event has been canceled due to the weather. On Thursday, June 3, from 4-6pm, join artist Gina Reduzzi, of Art Decanted, as she takes you through painting a picturesque landscape of the rolling hills of Warren County and hot air balloon that graces the skies of our beautiful backyard. Gina will take you through painting the scene in acrylic. The difficulty level is low to moderate, so don’t hesitate to join in! You can make it more challenging by adding more or fewer balloons, and you will even be allowed to create your own patterns! Dress appropriately as you may get paint on things other than the canvas. $25 per person, for festival goers. Space is limited. Click here to sign up.

Photo Fun in the Field

Matt Fila has photographed Warren County's balloon festivals for many years. On Friday, June 4, join Matt at 5:30pm for some great photography tips. Want to know about lighting or balanced composition?  Bring your camera or phone and join Matt for an overview of how to get great photography. Then head out to the balloon launch field with Matt to photograph the mass balloon launch. Space is limited. $10 donation. Click here to sign up.

Drone Flying Demos & Lessons

From 4:30-5:30pm each day, instructors and student pilots will be on hand to demonstrate flying drones, and to answer questions. Warren County Community College is home to a comprehensive drone training program and a drone port established at the Washington campus. Learn how you can get involved in this growing field.

Entertainment Line Up

Musical Entertainment
Included with your admission.
2-5pm:
Thursday - Dani Doll, singer
Friday - DJ Mitch
Saturday - S.C.3. Entertainment
Sunday - DJ GoldN - Music & Movement
6-9pm:
Thursday - DJ GoldN - Music & Movement
Friday - Bobby Clark Band
Saturday - DJ John Harvey - Dance Party
Sunday - Naked Jake  (pictured)

Hats Off to the Sponsors!

Let's end by thanking the sponsors of the Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival! It's presented by Alston Construction, and balloons are powered by AmeriGas.  The festival is supported in part by a grant from the NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism, the folks who show us all that New Jersey has to offer at VisitNJ.org. Gold Sponsors are Warren County Community College, Visions Federal Credit Union, Service Electric Cable TV & Communications, and Sanico. Additional sponsors are Unity Bank, JHM Signs, ReMax, and of course, Explore Warren County Tourism Partnership, who bring you ExploreWarren.org.

Please be advised that we do our best to make sure the information in this message is accurate at the time it is sent. But things happen, plans change, weather can be fickle... you get the idea. Please click on the links provided to other websites to obtain further details and updates.

We hope you've found this to be informative, and now feel inspired to come out and explore Warren County! If so, please:
Gray

Explore Warren County Tourism Partnership
C/o Warren County Public Information Dept.
tourism@co.warren.nj.us | ExploreWarren.org
165 County Route 519 South - Belvidere, NJ 07823
908-475-6580 / 800-554-8540

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More Things to Do: 

What to Expect

If you have never attended a hot air balloon festival before, here is what to expect: Balloons are normally on display in the evenings, prior to the scheduled launch time. One tether balloon will set up around 3pm for tethered rides. To date, 20 balloons are schedule to attend, include the sponsor balloon of presenting sponsor, Alston Construction LLC, as well as sponsor Unity Bank and RE/MAX. Balloons are powered by AmeriGas. Other activities continue throughout festival hours. So bring chairs or blankets to relax and watch the balloons go up, stroll around, listen to music, check out the artisans and crafters, get a bite to eat, and enjoy a day in beautiful Warren County, NJ!

Balloon Rides

The festival is exciting from the ground, but there's nothing like a ride in a hot air balloon! Especially when you're rising into the sky with 20 other brightly colored hot air balloons. Then cruise with the breezes over the bucolic Warren County countryside, and see where the wind takes you. Here's the pricing, Exclusive Couples Flight: $610. Exclusive 3 Passenger Flight: $750. Single Passenger: $225 (not exclusive). Click here to book your hot air balloon ride!

Tethered Balloon Rides

Want to take a ride, but not sure if you're ready for a free-floating adventure? Try a tethered balloon ride! One tether balloon will set up around 3pm for tethered rides. For $15 per person, take a short trip up and down for a nice view of the festivities from the air. The timing may change if the winds are not conducive to handling the balloon in a safe manner.

See the Vietnam War Bell Helicopter "Huey"

Have Huey Will Travel will have their Bell Helicopter "Huey", a rare survivor of the Vietnam War, on display from 2-7:30pm on Friday, June 4. Children of all ages can get inside, pretend they are piloting, and learn the story of this historic aircraft. It has quite a history, as it began her service life with the U.S. Army in November of 1967. She served in Vietnam from October 1968 to August 1970 with the 119th AHC, and then again March 1971 until September 1971 with a gunship platoon the 174th AHC, that went by the name “Sharks”. This display is a special tribute to Fred Grotenhuis, the founder of the Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Warren County Farmers’ Fair. Fred was a Huey helicopter pilot who served in Vietnam, and continues to be with the balloon festivals at the college and at the Farmers' Fair in spirit.

Cooperative Masterpiece Painting Session for Kids

Friday only, world-renowned artist Ryan Paul Simmons will be on site from 3-6pm, working with kids on a big canvas, helping them create a cooperative masterpiece, to be auctioned off at a later date. Children are invited to join Ryan but keep in mind they will be handling paints, so make sure they are dressed for the potential mess! NOTE: This event was postponed from Thursday.

Balloons Over Warren County Painting Workshop - CANCELED BY WEATHER

NOTE: This event has been canceled due to the weather. On Thursday, June 3, from 4-6pm, join artist Gina Reduzzi, of Art Decanted, as she takes you through painting a picturesque landscape of the rolling hills of Warren County and hot air balloon that graces the skies of our beautiful backyard. Gina will take you through painting the scene in acrylic. The difficulty level is low to moderate, so don’t hesitate to join in! You can make it more challenging by adding more or fewer balloons, and you will even be allowed to create your own patterns! Dress appropriately as you may get paint on things other than the canvas. $25 per person, for festival goers. Space is limited. Click here to sign up.

Photo Fun in the Field

Matt Fila has photographed Warren County's balloon festivals for many years. On Friday, June 4, join Matt at 5:30pm for some great photography tips. Want to know about lighting or balanced composition?  Bring your camera or phone and join Matt for an overview of how to get great photography. Then head out to the balloon launch field with Matt to photograph the mass balloon launch. Space is limited. $10 donation. Click here to sign up.

Drone Flying Demos & Lessons

From 4:30-5:30pm each day, instructors and student pilots will be on hand to demonstrate flying drones, and to answer questions. Warren County Community College is home to a comprehensive drone training program and a drone port established at the Washington campus. Learn how you can get involved in this growing field.

Entertainment Line Up

Musical Entertainment
Included with your admission.

2-5pm:
Thursday - Dani Doll, singer
Friday - DJ Mitch
Saturday - S.C.3. Entertainment
Sunday - DJ GoldN - Music & Movement

6-9pm:
Thursday - DJ GoldN - Music & Movement
Friday - Bobby Clark Band
Saturday - DJ John Harvey - Dance Party
Sunday - Naked Jake  (pictured)

Hats Off to the Sponsors!

Let's end by thanking the sponsors of the Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival! It's presented by Alston Construction, and balloons are powered by AmeriGas.  The festival is supported in part by a grant from the NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism, the folks who show us all that New Jersey has to offer at VisitNJ.org. Gold Sponsors are Warren County Community College, Visions Federal Credit Union, Service Electric Cable TV & Communications, and Sanico. Additional sponsors are Unity Bank, JHM Signs, ReMax, and of course, Explore Warren County Tourism Partnership, who bring you ExploreWarren.org.