Soar High With Patch: Preview Of QuickChek NJ Balloon Festival

READINGTON, NJ — Take a ride in the sky with Patch! We were able to float high above in a hot air balloon to get a preview of what is to come during the three-day 36th annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held Friday through Sunday at Solberg Airport, 39 Thor Solberg Rd., Readington in Hunterdon County.

Sky Gypsy Ballooning flew Patch from the airport to just below Route 22 in Branchburg to kick off the three-day festival.

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.

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.

• See Related: 2018 QuickChek New Jersey Festival Of Ballooning Information

Videos of balloons being blown up and a hot air balloon ride below:

(Images by Jason Hutchings. Videos by Alexis Tarrazi)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.