There's probably no better way to mark the end of summer and the 'back to school' season than with the New York State Festival of Balloons.
Dansville's premier festival will feature around 50 hot-air balloons with pilots coming from as far as Arizona and Florida, and as close as Groveland and Bath who will, weather permitting, soar into the skies for six scheduled flights between Friday evening, Aug. 31 and Monday morning, Sept. 3.
Among those scheduled to dot the air with beautiful colors will be the crowd-pleasing special shaped balloons such as Pepe Le Pew, Purple Peaple Eater, Dingbat, Pokey the Turtle and Crazy Crab.
In addition, festival-goers will also experience seeing new balloons, new vendors and a new music lineup.
“For five dollars a day, there’s a lot of entertainment, a lot of people to come and visit and see, [and] some great balloon launches anticipated,” said Dorothy Hotchkiss, festival president.
Balloon rides are available for $200 per person.Depending on conditions, rides can sometimes last up to an hour.
“It’s exciting,"?she said of riding in a balloon, adding that it is a beautiful view that you wouldn't normally see otherwise.
There is about a dozen people who volunteer on the festival committee, plus about 50 to 60 other volunteers on the ground during the weekend.
“It’s very rewarding, and it’s very exciting to see the people come, the kids and the families,” Hotchkiss said about volunteering for the festival.
“We certainly are a family venue.”
In addition to local volunteers, community vendors such as Lions Club, Rotary Club, Dansville Public Libary, Women’s Civic Club, Dansville Area Historical Society and others; plus about 40 local families who host pilots into their homes for the weekend.
“It’s not typical for pilots to be able to come to a hot-air balloon festival and not have any expenses.”
Not only are the pilots offered the option of free lodging through host families, propane for their burners are also provided for free.
To the hot-air pilots, “we’re a fun festival,”?she said, adding that it’s relaxing and not as competitive as other festivals.
In addition to the goings-on at the festival grounds, Main Street will have a special event, called “Kidding Around,” which will include free chalk drawing and sidewalk games for kids from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1.
At 7 p.m. on Aug. 30, the festival will kick off with the annual “Glow” at Brae Burn. Balloons will inflate at dusk.
The Glow is free and open to the public, and will include about a half-dozen balloons inflated like luminaries on the ground. Visitors are welcome to get an up-close view of the balloons and meet the pilots at that time.
For a full festival schedule, go to nysfob.com or look for the balloon guide in our Pennysaver Plus.
There's probably no better way to mark the end of summer and the 'back to school' season than with the New York State Festival of Balloons.
Dansville's premier festival will feature around 50 hot-air balloons with pilots coming from as far as Arizona and Florida, and as close as Groveland and Bath who will, weather permitting, soar into the skies for six scheduled flights between Friday evening, Aug. 31 and Monday morning, Sept. 3.
Among those scheduled to dot the air with beautiful colors will be the crowd-pleasing special shaped balloons such as Pepe Le Pew, Purple Peaple Eater, Dingbat, Pokey the Turtle and Crazy Crab.
In addition, festival-goers will also experience seeing new balloons, new vendors and a new music lineup.
“For five dollars a day, there’s a lot of entertainment, a lot of people to come and visit and see, [and] some great balloon launches anticipated,” said Dorothy Hotchkiss, festival president.
Balloon rides are available for $200 per person.Depending on conditions, rides can sometimes last up to an hour.
“It’s exciting,"?she said of riding in a balloon, adding that it is a beautiful view that you wouldn't normally see otherwise.
There is about a dozen people who volunteer on the festival committee, plus about 50 to 60 other volunteers on the ground during the weekend.
“It’s very rewarding, and it’s very exciting to see the people come, the kids and the families,” Hotchkiss said about volunteering for the festival.
“We certainly are a family venue.”
In addition to local volunteers, community vendors such as Lions Club, Rotary Club, Dansville Public Libary, Women’s Civic Club, Dansville Area Historical Society and others; plus about 40 local families who host pilots into their homes for the weekend.
“It’s not typical for pilots to be able to come to a hot-air balloon festival and not have any expenses.”
Not only are the pilots offered the option of free lodging through host families, propane for their burners are also provided for free.
To the hot-air pilots, “we’re a fun festival,”?she said, adding that it’s relaxing and not as competitive as other festivals.
In addition to the goings-on at the festival grounds, Main Street will have a special event, called “Kidding Around,” which will include free chalk drawing and sidewalk games for kids from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1.
At 7 p.m. on Aug. 30, the festival will kick off with the annual “Glow” at Brae Burn. Balloons will inflate at dusk.
The Glow is free and open to the public, and will include about a half-dozen balloons inflated like luminaries on the ground. Visitors are welcome to get an up-close view of the balloons and meet the pilots at that time.
For a full festival schedule, go to nysfob.com or look for the balloon guide in our Pennysaver Plus.
