Courtesy Saratoga Balloon And BBQ Festival
The fifth annual Saratoga Balloon and BBQ Festival returns to the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa in June.
Organizers said there are two important differences in 2018. The festival will no longer be held on Father’s Day Weekend, instead moving to June 22-24.
Also, the name of the festival was changed. It was formerly the Saratoga Balloon and Craft Festival.
After four successful years, event organizers said they wanted to create a bigger and better event.
“We needed to diversify and add non-balloon related components,” said Tim Cianciola of Craftproducers, one of the organizers.
“There’s nothing more appealing than mouth-watering barbecue,” said Christian Dutcher, co-organizer, from Americade. “With the barbecue and bacon additions, no one will be disappointed.”
Said Cianciola, “People love to eat and drink. We will add a craft beer pavilion and serve wine too. With all the great entertainment our audience can have an enjoyable day.”
Dutcher said the balloons alone are worth the price of admission as they ascend skyward. “It’s actually an amazing sight.”
The festival has an expanding list of corporate sponsors: MVP, Stewart’s Shops, Adirondack Trust Co., Digital First Media, DeCrescente Inc., DeNoyer Chevrolet, Amerigas, Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau, and ReMax.
Companies interested in sponsorships should contact Charley Dooley at 802-342-5478 or sponsorship@balloonandbbq.com.for information.
This year’s schedule is filled with entertainment, kids activities, food booths, craft beer, wine slushies, bands, street performers, pony rides, an arts and craft marketplace, and the balloons.
The festival expects to launch about 100 balloons during the weekend, including some during a Friday night “balloon glow” event at dusk.
The show opens on Friday at 3 p.m. and closes after the Balloon Glow. Saturday it runs from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Adult admission is $10, children $5. Advance sales tickets are available on the festival website www.balloonandbbq.com. No dogs are allowed at the fairgrounds.