QuickChek NJ Festival Of Ballooning 2017: Everything You Need To Know Before You Go

READINGTON, NJ — The annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning is returning to Readington for its 35th year on Friday and is celebrating its anniversary with its largest lineup of specially-shaped hot air balloons and its biggest concert series ever.

The three-day festival will be held on July 28, 29 and 30 at Solberg Airport in Readington featuring 100 sport and specially-shaped hot air balloons from around the world taking to the skies twice each day in mass ascensions over the scenic countryside.

Balloons:

The QuickChek Farmhouse will feature balloons such as the 61-foot-tall silo, 30-foot-tall farmer and friendly animals including a cow, a pig, a cat and chickens.

(QuickChek Farmhouse)

Another fun balloon is the “Little Bees” — a pair of 110-foot-tall bumblebees who hold hands and “kiss” in mid-flight! They’ll be joined by their 80-foot-tall baby bee.

(Little Bees)

The Festival will once again honor America with the five-story tall PNC American Flag balloon; created following 9/11, it is the world’s largest free-flying American flag.

Other special shaped balloons include an 85-foot-tall lion, the 110-foot-tall Unique Photo panda, the 105-foot-tall Bimbo Bakeries bear, an 85-foot-tall Angry Bird, an 80-foot-tall Pepsi football and a 67-foot-tall superhero from Canada.

A cake-shaped hot air balloon will celebrate the festival's anniversary will be 80 feet tall and weigh 807 pounds.

Concerts:

Best-selling children’s recording artist Laurie Berkner performs Friday, July 28 at 1:30 p.m. with George Thorogood and the Destroyers playing Friday night at 8 p.m. followed by a fireworks display.

Internet sensation Jake Miller performs Saturday, July 29 at 1 p.m. with Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo performing Saturday night at 8 p.m. in conjunction with the nighttime hot air balloon glow.

The Plain White T’s perform Sunday, July 30 at 3 p.m.

Entertainment:

Family entertainment includes fireworks; a nighttime balloon glow; the acrobatic AeroSphere Balloon Show from America’s Got Talent; children’s amusement rides and entertainment; interactive exhibits and hundreds of crafters and food vendors.

Tickets:

Tickets are available at all QuickChek stores, by calling 1-800-HOT-AIR9 or at www.balloonfestival.com. Adults are $24-$35, children $10-$15, ages 3 and under free; VIP is $60-$125; and a military discount is available.

The Solberg Airport is located at 39 Thor Solberg Road in Readington.

Dates:

Friday, July 28 – 1 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, July 29 – 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, July 30 – 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Mass hot air balloon inflations and ascensions at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

(Image provided by QuickChek)

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