Adirondack Balloon Festival

(picture I took last year, most actually went up this time)

The Adirondack Balloon Festival

It all started in the early 1970’s when the Warren County tourism and publicity office needed some event that would bring more people to the region after Labor Day.  As I have witness in the last few years is that it has its good points and bad points.  The good points are that it does bring tourists from all over.  The bad points are that the weather in this area does not always cooperate with the balloonists. 

The first of the festivals was held here at our local college SUNY Adirondack Community College.  The festival grew to be so large that the small grounds at the college could not accommodate it anymore.  It then moved to our country airport.  It can only accommodate small planes but it works out quite well for the festival. 

This is a Not-For-Profit organization.  The money for it is raised by volunteers and the support of the community.  What is so great is that the event is free of charge.  There are many vendors and they have a breakfast in the morning.  Many different areas participate in the event from all over the country.  It also draws people from other countries including Japan.

The event last for about 4 days and the crowds are always growing.  I really enjoy watching the balloons take off.  Small groups of balloonists take off at ACC and Crandall Park in Glens Falls.  It is really an amazing event.  I wish that it could have been done earlier in the year.  I can understand why they wanted it after Labor Day.  This is a tourist area where in the spring and summer it is very busy but the rest of the year not so much.  It is events like this that makes this area so enjoyable.