FUN ON THE RISE
Balloon Festival has new special shapes
A 70-foottall American flag, “Scorch” the dragon and “Owelbert Eyenstein” are first-time visitors scheduled to fly at the Adirondack Balloon Festival from Sept. 21-24.
The gigantic flag balloon, weighing 530 pounds, is piloted by Barry Delibero of Chester, Pa.
“Scorch,” flown by Keith Sproul of New Brunswick, N.J., is another newcomer to this year’s 45th annual festival. Built in 2016, “Scorch” is 145 feet tall and weighs 675 pounds. He made his debut in June 2016 at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.
“Owlbert,” also known as “Professor Hot Air,” was “born” in 2014 in Brazil and comes to the festival from his home in Lake Havasu, Ariz., piloted by Gary and Linda Moore.
Popular returning specialshaped balloons are “Smiley” the scarecrow, “Yellow Bird and Puddy Cat” and “Pokey” the turtle.
A variety of special music performances are planned this year, too, by bands such as The Master Cylinders, The North and South Dakotas, Buckeye Rooster, The Old Main and Across the Pond.
The festival begins at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 at Crandall Park in Glens Falls and continues the next three days at Floyd Bennett Memorial (Warren County) Airport.
The Open Door Mission in Glens Falls still needs volunteer helpers for its Balloon Breakfasts at the airport on Saturday and Sunday morning, Sept. 23-24. Starting at 4 a.m. volunteers help prep, cook and serve breakfast to thousands of Balloon Festival spectators.
For more information and to sign up go to: opendoor-ny.org/ big-balloon-breakfast/ or call (518) 792-5900, extension 102.
For a full balloon festival schedule, more information or to purchase a special VIP parking pass, go to: adirondackballoonfest.org.