2016 New Jersey Festival of Ballooning: What You Need To Know

For the 34th year, the sky will be full of hot air balloons later this month.

The 34th annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning takes place from July 29 to 31 at Solberg Airport in Readington.

The main attraction for the festival are, of course, the balloons. This year, there are 10 special shapes, including:

• Farmer Pig;
• The Piranha;
• The Pelican;
• Puddles;
• Splash;
• Bimbo Bear;
• The Unique Panda Photo;
• The Pepsi Football;
• PNC Bank Salutes America; and
• Piko.

Balloon rides are also available all three days, but the festival is about more than just balloons.

Third Eye Blind will open the festival on Friday night, July 29, 8 p.m. The festival’s annual fireworks extravaganza follows the concert.

Disney TV stars Dove Cameron and Ryan McCartan perform in concert as “The Girl and The Dreamcatcher” on Saturday afternoon, 1 p.m.

K.C. and the Sunshine Band takes center stage on Saturday night, July 30, 8 p.m. The performance will provide the soundtrack for the nighttime hot air balloon glow, and will follow the mass hot air balloon ascension.

John Kay and Steppenwolf cap the festival with a performance on Sunday afternoon, 4 p.m., preceded by special guest Foghat at 2 p.m.

For more about the festival, visit balloonfestival.com.