2008 Flight Schedule (Last updated on March 02, 2008)
We attend many Hot Air Balloon Festivals and events through out the year. Dates and links for these events are posted below. Some of the festivals have not released there official dates yet so (Watch for changes) in the listings.
To schedule a Hot Air Balloon Ride, visit our Ride Calendar and check the month you are interested in for availability, then decide if you want to fly on a morning or evening flight and give us a call or e-mail us. We can even schedule you for a ride at most of the Hot Air Balloon Festivals and events we go to, so contact us for details about flying at a Balloon Festival with us.
If you are interested in just coming out to watch, or help out, we try and fly every weekend in Connecticut all year long. However, weather plays a big role in our decision to fly or not, so contact us for the Meeting Point and launch field location if you are planning to come out. There is no charge for coming out to watch. We'll even let you help out the crew setting up and backing up the balloon if you want. Dress like you would if you were going out for a seasonal walk on a park hiking trail. Keep an eye on this page for changes and additions to our flight schedule.
Flight Schedule (Events in Black we attend) -(Events in Red we don't attend) but are posted for information and planning only
- January 5, 2008 - Connecticut Lighter
Than Air Society "Frozen Buns Fly-Out" - Each year on the first
weekend of the new year the
Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society gets together at the Aqua Turf in
Southington, CT for the first Hot Air Balloon event of the new year.
Typically the flight is very cold (hence the name) and the balloons show
up bright against the snow background. Spectators are welcome to watch the
launch from the warmth of there car or up close outside. After the flight,
pilots, crew and spectators join up for breakfast in Southington.
Some photos past years are on our
Photo Page. This is the largest winter flight of Hot Air Balloons in
the area.
-
April
(Date and location TBD) - (Should be April
21st) Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society Fly-Out and club
competition in central Connecticut. Location TBD. (4-10 balloons)
Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society Call for information.
- May
(Date and location TBD) - (Should be May
19th) Spring Hot Air Balloon Flights in the "Quiet Corner of
Connecticut" and the Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society Fly-Out and club
competition (4-10 balloons)
Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society Call for information.
- July 18 - 20, 2008 - Greenfield, MA
- Greenfield Jazz Festival
22th Annaversery - 20
Hot Air Balloons,
flights are at sunrise on Saturday and Sunday and at 2 hours before
sunset on Friday and Saturday.
Presented by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, this celebration
combines music on two stages, food, crafts, dancing, a wide array of
kids activities, Hot Air Balloon flights and fireworks. We will be
scheduling passengers for rides at this event, contact us for details.
- July 16 - 20, 2008 -
North Kingston, RI -
The
Wakefield Rotary Balloon Festival
20+ Hot Air Balloons, flights are at sunrise
on Saturday and Sunday and at 2 hours before sunset on Friday and
Saturday. Features Hot Air Balloon rides, parachute demonstrations, arts
and crafts, music, farmers market and more.
Estimated dates based on last years event.
Official dates for this event have not been posted for 2008 yet, watch web
site for changes.
- July 25-27, 2008 - Readington, NJ - The
The 24th Annual Quick
Check NJ Festival of Ballooning will
feature more than 125 sport and special-shaped balloons, barnstorming,
airplane aerobatics show, parachuting, vintage airplane exhibits, live musical entertainment, arts and
crafts, fireworks, Saturday evening balloon glow, and other non-stop entertainment.
(The organizer of this event handles scheduling and sets
the passenger ride rate. Asked to be scheduled with Pilot Daryl Smith)
-
Aug 15 - 17, 2008 - Auburn/Lewiston, ME -
Great Falls Balloon
Festival - Maine's
Largest Balloon Festival 10+ balloons, car show, music, children's
programs, crafters, firemen's muster, duck race, powered gliders, parades,
carnival rides, fireworks and much more.
(The organizer of this event handles
scheduling and sets the passenger ride rate. Asked to be scheduled with
Pilot Daryl Smith)
Estimated dates based on last years event.
Official dates for this event have not been posted for 2008 yet, watch web
site for changes.
- August 22 - 24, 2008 - Plainville, CT - Plainville Connecticut Balloon Festival
(Our
Favorite Connecticut Ballooning Event !! & it's all FREE) 35+ balloons, Fireworks on Friday Night and the best part,
admission, including parking, is free, just show up. Flights are at
sunrise on Saturday and Sunday morning, and evening flights on Friday
and Saturday at 2 hours before sunset. We get booked up fast with
passengers at this event so call early if you want to fly at this festival.
Estimated dates based on last years event.
Official dates for this event have not been posted for 2007 yet, watch web
site for changes.
- August
29 - 31, 2008 - Anderson SC -
The Great Southeast
Balloon Fest -
75 Hot Air Balloons will participate
in BFA sanctioned competition events, with flights on Friday PM and AM and
PM flights on Saturday and Sunday. A $25,000.00 Key Grab event will be
held during one on the competition events. Fireworks, Concerts and other
activities too.
-
August 29 -31, 2008 - Gatineau Canada -
20th Annual Gatineau
Hot Air Balloon Festival - This international event is right
across the river from Ottawa the capital of Canada - 80 Hot Air Balloons
fly Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Balloon glow on Friday and Saturday
night, Balloon competition events, Balloon rides, fireworks, concerts. A
lot of fun all weekend in beautiful Canada.
(The organizer of this event handles
scheduling and sets the passenger ride rate. Asked to be scheduled with
Pilot Daryl Smith)
- September 1 - 30, 2008 - Fall Foliage Flights
in the "Quiet Corner" of Connecticut - We schedule
flights every flyable day during the Fall Foliage season in the northeast
section of Connecticut called the "Quiet Corner". We link up with other
Hot Air Balloons & pilots and fly from the same launch site, adding more
color and adventure to the bright foliage colors. These flight book up
FAST so schedule early.
- September 26 - 28,
2008 - Glenn Falls, NY -
35th Adirondack Balloon
Festival - 80+ balloons from all over the country and the world attend
this festival each year, and fly in the largest Fall Foliage Festivals in
the Northeast. Balloons launch from the Warren County Airport
each day at sunrise and at 3 hours before sunset. Admission is Free!
(The organizer of this event handles scheduling and sets
the passenger ride rate. Asked to be scheduled with Pilot Daryl Smith)
Estimated dates based on last years event.
Official dates for this event have not been posted for 2008 yet, watch web
site for changes.
- October 1 -31, 2008 - Fall Foliage Flights
in the "Quiet Corner" of Connecticut - We schedule
flights every flyable day during the Fall Foliage season in the northeast
section of Connecticut called the "Quiet Corner". We link up with other
Hot Air Balloons & pilots and fly from the same launch site, adding more
color and adventure to the bright foliage colors. These flight book up
FAST so schedule early.
- October 3-12, 2008 - Albuquerque, NM -
Albuquerque International Balloon
Festival. 850 Hot Air Balloons of all sizes and shapes,
from all over the world. This is the largest Hot Air Balloon festival event in the
world. It takes 4 hours to launch all the balloons during the morning
launch. Activities for kids and adults throughout the day, and "Rodeo"
Balloon Glow at night, Hot Air Balloon and Gas Balloon competition flying.
(Unsure it we'll be able attend this year or not) (The
organizer of this event handles scheduling and sets the passenger ride
rate. Because of the size of this event, we are not authorized by the
organizer to carry paying passengers)
-
November
(Date TBD) - (Should be November
17th) Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society Fly-Out and
club competition in central
Connecticut. Location To Be Determined. (4-10 balloons)
- December 5 - 7, 2008 - Festival Del Globo in Leon, Mexico - This year we will be attending the 5th annual "Festival Del Globo" in Leon, Mexico. This International Festival hosts 60+ balloons to wonderful flying conditions during the early winter months in the high desert plains of Mexico. For more information about the Festival del Globo in Leon, and Leon, Guanajuato, San Miguel and the surrounding cities, go to; www.festivaldelglobo.com. (The organizer of this event handles scheduling and sets the passenger ride rate. Asked to be scheduled with Pilot Daryl Smith) Estimated dates based on last years event. Official dates for this event have not been posted for 2007 yet, watch web site for changes.
Go to the Weather Channel and/or Weather Underground web sites to view local weather forecasts that may affect our flying schedule and for sunset / sunrise information. We use Hartford, Connecticut Sunrise & Sunset times to plan all of our Meeting Point times.