The inaugural Saratoga Balloon and Craft
Festival will launch in June.
The event is scheduled for June 20-22 at the
Saratoga Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa.
It is being organized by Craftproducers of
Charlotte, Vt., which is moving the festival to
Saratoga this year because it outgrew its former
location at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont.
Balloonmeister Todd Monahan of Glens Falls
is enthusiastic about the new location.
“The Fairgrounds are a great place to launch
balloons and you can safely fly wherever the
wind is blowing,” he said. “Weather permitting,
the balloons will go airborne Friday and
Saturday evenings at about 6:30 and Saturday
and Sunday morning at 6.”
Besides the launching of hot air balloons in the early morning and evenings, there will be a Balloon Glow event on Friday evening at dusk on June 20. At the event, which is ticketed separately, the balloons will be inflated and the propane burners create a colorful illumination. Saturday will be the rain date for the Glow, organizers said.
The balloons will take off early in the morning and later in the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday. The organizers have added a juried craft show to the weekend.
The festival will open to the public from noon on Friday. There will be 125 artists, artisans, and specialty food makers. Organizers said the makers of the handmade products will display and sell their own products. No imports or buy/sell items are allowed.
Handcrafted items to shop for include blown glass, pottery, stained glass, furniture, graphics, painting, leather, metal, wood, jewelry, and specialty food producers including wineries and distillers.
There will be a Kids Zone for the children with a “make and take” craft section, face painting, a walk-about-balloon, comic juggling, and more. For the adults, there will be continuous music on a main stage. A food court will feature fare from local vendors. There will be an array of craft beers served along with New York state cheeses. A coffee house will be set up with Spencer Lewis playing and singing original material.
Festival hours are Friday, noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Adult admission is $10 and kids get in free. Glow admission is $5 for adults and children. While festival tickets are available at the entry gate, it is recommended to purchase Glow tickets in advance on the event website. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.balloonandcraft.com or call 802-425-3399.
Photo Courtesy Craftproducers