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 & games on September 20 & 21.
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 Philly and New York City.
Hot air balloons will take off each evening between 5:15-6:00 p.m. (weather permitting). Tethered ride (short up and down) are also available each day. Enjoy the Balloon Glow when night falls.
Gates open at 1 pm and the festivities run until 8:30 pm each evening. Enjoy a variety of food trucks, vendors, children’s entertainment and games, live bands and DJ, tethered rides, and of course, the mass balloon launch. Find the schedule online at balloonfestnj.com, along with other quick links to ticket sales, car show registration, and vendor applications.
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. There are a variety of professions that utilize Unmanned Systems technology for efficiency, and you could be on the forefront of this fast growing field. Be sure to drop by the College’s WarrenUAS tent as they can answer all your questions.
There will be a variety of games, including some you may play for free. Autocades vintage video games trailer is back. Pay once, play all day. Try the Gel Blaster with friends, obstacle course, soccer darts and bounce house as well. Purchase tickets at the Balloon Ride/Info booth. The more you buy the more you save. Free games and activities include Mini Golf, an Escape Room, Rocket Ready, basketball hoops and all the crafts at Fascination Place.
Enjoy free strolling entertainment with Dulcimers on Saturday and a Barbershop Quartet on Sunday. Enjoy the comedy of Balloons the Clown and learn circus tricks with the popular Grins & Grins Juggling. Additional musical entertainment on Sunday is the TimeWhys band, from 2:30-5:30 pm.
Saturday features the Hot Rods & Hot Air Balloons Car & Truck Show, from 1-5 pm, with all the registration fees supporting the Fred Grotenhuis Memorial Scholarships. Registration/check-in for the car show begins at 12 noon. Top 10, participant judged and Best of Show, panel judged will be awarded at 5 p.m. Download the details and pre-registration form from the website.
The evening ends with a patriotic balloon glow, featuring the America One US Flag Balloon, which stands 53 feet tall and 78 feet wide, and other select balloons. A dance party with DJ Gold’n kicks off at 5:30 each night. The glow will begin around 7:15 pm. DJ Gold’n will be hosting a dance party beginning at 5:30 pm, and leading up tot he glow. Show your favorite dance moves and you might win prizes. Kids can also pick up their sound activated glow bracelet, sponsored by RE/MAX.
Fred G. Monster special shape will also be part of the glow, and once standing, kids are welcomed to celebrate an American favorite as they trick-or-treat at some of the balloons during the glowing.
Warren Community College has plenty of lawn to spread out and social distance. Pets, food and alcoholic beverages are prohibited (with the exception of snacks & beverages for small children). Feel free to bring blankets, lawn chairs, small games like quoits and corn hole.
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).
For more directions, admission pricing and other details visit www.balloonfestnj.com.
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The Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Fun & Games Festival is supported in part by a grant from the NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism. VisitNJ.org.
*Funding was provided by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Warren Co. Cultural & Heritage Affairs, a Division of the Department of Land Preservation with support by the Warren County Board of County Commissioners.