2018 QuickChek New Jersey Festival Of Ballooning Information

READINGTON, NJ — The three-day 36th annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning will be held July 27, 28, 29 at Solberg Airport, 39 Thor Solberg Rd., Readington in Hunterdon County.

The festival features the opportunity to see 100 sport and special shaped hot air balloons from around the world taking to the skies twice each day in mass ascensions over the scenic Central New Jersey countryside.

Along with the balloons, the festival includes a live concert series; a fireworks display; a nighttime balloon glow where the balloons are inflated and lit up like giant lanterns; death-defying stunts by human cannonball David “The Bullet” Smith; children’s amusement rides and age-appropriate entertainment; exciting interactive exhibits and hundreds of crafters and food vendors.

New Balloons include:

• the new 120-foot-tall QuickChek Saxophone which represents the Festival’s position as the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America.
• the 85-foot-tall Queen’s Guard balloon from England as the Festival pays tribute to the recent royal wedding
• a 115-foot-tall bright blue puppy
• a 75-foot-tall yellow bird
• a 75-foot-tall Rocket the Flying Squirrel cartoon character balloons.

The festival will once again honor America with the 5-story tall PNC American Flag balloon; created following 9/11, it is the world’s largest free-flying American flag and has become an annual crowd favorite.

Other special shaped balloons include the 110-foot-tall Unique Photo panda, the 105-foot-tall Bimbo Bakeries bear, and an 80-foot-tall Pepsi football.

Best-selling children’s recording artist Laurie Berkner performs in concert Friday, July 27 at 1:30 p.m. with Andy Grammer playing Friday night at 8 p.m. followed by a fireworks display.

Lifehouse performs Saturday night, July 28 at 8:00 p.m. in conjunction with the nighttime hot air balloon glow. Creedence Clearwater Revisited performs Sunday, July 29 at 3 p.m.

Hours:

• Friday, July 27 – 1 to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, July 28 – 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday, July 29 – 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tickets are $24-$35 for adults, $10-$15 for children and free for kids ages 3 and under. VIP tickets are $69-$99 and a military discount is available.

Advance tickets are available at all QuickChek stores, by calling 1-800-HOT-AIR9 or online at www.balloonfestival.com. Tickets are also available at all QuickChek store locations, online, and at the gate.

(Image via QuickChek)

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