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COME CHECK OUT THE FESTIVAL!2009 MARKS OUR 27th ANNIVERSARY!!!
July 24th through 26th in Readington, NJ at Solberg Airport. There will be up to 125 hot air balloons, so look at my pics to see the special shaped balloons featured at this years festival. There is also non-stop family fun including Galaxy of Thrills Show, and much more! Also, Bridgewater Marriott Fireworks Extravaganza is something you shouldn't miss, along with the NJ Office of Travel and Tourism Balloon Glow. This festival is an annual event that provides lasting memories for all ages. Bring the family!!!
July 24, 2009 - Al Jardine's Endless Summer Band July 25, 2009 - Meaghan Martin Kool & The Gang July 26, 2009 Dylan McDonald & Michael McDonald

Balloon History

History Of Balloon Flight: The Montgolfier brothers, who owned a paper factory in France in the 1700s, became intrigued by a piece of paper that flew up a chimney under a roaring hearth one day. They began to experiment by filling a small silk bag with smoke and were thrilled as it floated to the ceiling. The Montgolfier brothers wanted to make the first manned flight in a hot air balloon. However, they had promised their father that they would never risk their lives by going up in a balloon. Although there were volunteers for the first manned flight, the balloon flight launched with only a duck, a rooster, and a sheep in the basket. This flight took place at Versailles on September 18, 1783 and was witnessed by King Louis XVI. The animals were unharmed during the eight minute flight.

Did you know? Benjamin Franklin witnessed the first balloon flight in Paris in 1783 and was a signatory of the official report that went to the Academy of Sciences.

The first balloon flight in North America was piloted by Jean-Pierre Blanchard on January 9, 1793. The flight launched from Philadelphia, PA and landed in Deptford, NJ.

Why is champagne closely associated with ballooning? The tradition dates back to the first balloon flight in France. Early balloons were attacked by the landowners with stones, clubs, and pitchforks as they landed, since the landowners believed the balloons to be "fire-breathing monsters." These early French aeronauts found that they could distract the landowners by offering them a glass of champagne. While it is unlikely that today's landowners think of balloons as "fire-breathing monsters," pilots still offer a bottle of champagne to thank them for the use of their land. A champagne toast also takes place after each balloon flight, along with the recitation of the Balloonists' Prayer.

November 21, 1783: The first recorded manned flight in a hot air balloon took place in Paris. Built from paper and silk by the Montgolfier brothers, this balloon was piloted on a 22 minute flight by two noblemen from the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. From the center of Paris they ascended 500 feet above the roof tops before eventually landing miles away in the vineyards.

Take a Balloon Ride! Call 1-800-HOT-AIR-9 to make your reservation

TICKETS AT ALL QUICK CHEK STORES, OR .. AT WWW.BALLOONFESTIVAL.COM OR CALL 973-882-5464 Tickets in advance are $17 for adults and $7 for children 4 - 12 years old. Children 3 years old and under are FREE. At the gate tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children. We can also offer a discount on groups tickets for groups of 20 or more people. visit www.balloonfestival.com for info on VIP concert tickets