Glens Falls is located on the Hudson River, in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, which gave the festival its name. The city is known for hosting many events throughout the year, including the Adirondack Stampede, the LARAC Arts Festival, the Northcounty Microbrew Festival, Taste of the North Country, and the Adirondack Balloon Festival.
The Adirondack Balloon Festival was an initiative of Warren County’s tourism and publicity office that was looking for a way to bring tourists to the region after Labor Day. The first event was organized by a group of visionary Glens Falls residents, including the late Walter Grishkot. Over the years, the festival has grown to become one of the most important events in Warren County. It draws about 150,000 people over 4 days.
Unlike most other hot air balloon festivals, the Adirondack Balloon Festival is a not-for-profit event that is free to the public and generally lacks commercialism. The festival is organized strictly by volunteers and supported by sponsors and members of the local community.
Balloon launches are the main highlight of the festival. They occur at dawn or at dusk, weather permitting. Balloons don’t fly during the day, so don’t forget to check the schedule to arrive at the launch site on time. The festival doesn’t offer balloon rides, but many pilots are willing to accept passengers. They provide their contact information, so if you are interested in booking a ride, you need to contact the pilot of your choice via phone or email.
Along with balloon flights, the festival hosts a craft fair organized and sponsored by the Zonta Club. It features numerous vendors offering unique handcrafted items. The craft fair raises funds to support local projects, with emphasis on education and breast cancer prevention. Of course, there are food vendors, too. They offer all kinds of snack and beverages for everyone to enjoy.
Photo: John
