Come out to Warren County, New Jersey, and explore the beautiful terrain as the seasons begin to change. Nestled in Washington Township, Warren Community College is where you will find a mix of hot air balloons, fun, and games on September 19 & 20.

Warren Community College is conveniently located on Route 57, just minutes from Routes 31, 22, and 78, and less than 1.5 hours from both Philadelphia and New York City.

Hot air balloons will take off each evening between 5:15–6:00 p.m. (weather permitting). Limited full-flight hot air balloon rides are available. Morning full flights have been added this year at 6:30 a.m., prior to the festival opening at 1 p.m. Many visitors come from out of town to take rides and are pleasantly surprised by the natural beauty of Warren County, New Jersey. This gives riders an opportunity to explore the area and all it offers before returning later in the day for the festivities.

Tethered rides (short up-and-down flights) are also available each day for $30 per adult and $20 for youth ages 4–12. Purchase your tethered ride tickets at the Balloon Ride/Info booth.

Gates open at 1 p.m., and the festivities run until 8:30 p.m. each evening. Enjoy a variety of food trucks, vendors, children’s entertainment and games, live bands and a DJ, tethered rides, and of course the mass balloon launch.

Did you know that Warren Community College has one of the top Unmanned Systems programs in the nation? Learn how to pilot, design and develop, maintain, and repair drones, in addition to AI and robotics. A variety of professions utilize Unmanned Systems technology for efficiency, and you could be at the forefront of this fast-growing field. Be sure to drop by the College’s WarrenUAS tent—they can answer all your questions.

There will be a variety of games, some of which are free. Game tickets are $5 each, and some games may require more than one ticket. Pay once, play all day with Soccer Darts ($5), Autocades vintage video games ($10 per person, $20 family special), and the Gel Blaster ($10). There will be a bounce house with slide and a photo booth ($5). Purchase tickets at the Balloon Ride/Info booth. Save on a 6-pack for $25 or a 10-pack for $35—the more you buy, the more you save. Free games and activities include mini-golf, tee-ball, Rocket Ready, basketball hoops, and crafts at Fascination Place.

Enjoy strolling entertainment with dulcimers on Saturday and a barbershop quartet on Sunday. Learn circus tricks with the popular Grins & Grins Juggling. Additional musical entertainment includes bands such as TimeWhys, Zaire, StoneHearth Bluegrass Band, and the incredible vocals of the Pro Kids Holiday Vocal Troupe.

Saturday features the Hot Rods & Hot Air Balloons Car & Truck Show from 1–5 p.m., with all registration fees supporting the Fred Grotenhuis Memorial Scholarships. Pre-registration is just $15 and includes entry into the event for you and your riders. Day-of registration is $20. Registration/check-in for the car show begins at 12 noon. Download the details and pre-registration form from the website.

The evening ends with a patriotic balloon glow featuring the Freedom Flyer balloon and other select balloons. The glow will begin around 7:30 p.m. DJ Gold’n will host a dance party beginning at 6:30 p.m., leading up to the glow. Show your favorite dance moves and you might win prizes. Kids can also pick up their sound-activated glow bracelets so they can sync with the glow music.

The Fred G. Monster special-shape balloon will also be part of the glow, and once it is standing, kids are welcome to celebrate an American favorite as they trick-or-treat at some of the balloons during the glow.

Admission

General Admission

Save on advance tickets at www.balloonfestnj.com (handling fees apply).

Adult: $10
Youth ages 4–12: $4
Ages 3 & under: Free
Parking: $5 per car
Family packs: $40 include parking and allow up to 5 people per car.

Online tickets offer the option of ticket protection.

At the Gate (cash or credit)

Adult: $12
Youth ages 4–12: $5
Ages 3 & under: Free
Parking: $6 per car
Family packs: $50 include parking and allow up to 5 people per car.

Warren Community College has plenty of lawn space to spread out and social distance. Pets, outside food, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. (Exceptions: clearly marked service animals; snacks and beverages for small children). Feel free to bring blankets, lawn chairs.

Proceeds from the event support the Warren Community College Foundation, the Fred T. Grotenhuis Veterans Community Center project, and the Fred Grotenhuis Scholarships (fredgscholarships.org).

Additional information is available at www.balloonfestnj.com.

Funding was provided by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Warren County Cultural & Heritage Affairs, a Division of the Department of Land Preservation, with support from the Warren County Board of County Commissioners.

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