By Alana Moran

Hulafrog Details Local Fun at The Chester County Balloon Festival!

The Chester County Balloon Festival is a must-attend event that provides family fun for all ages! Experience Chester County and all that the unique and historic Delaware Valley Region has to offer, from the ground up!

The Festival, celebrating its 9th year, will be held at the New Garden Flying Field in Toughkenamon, PA on Father’s Day weekend (June 19-21, 2015). The airport is located at 1235 Newark Road just off Highway 1.

The expanded 3-day (Friday-Sunday) schedule highlights over 20+ hot air balloons taking flight twice per day, balloon glow featuring Special Shaped Balloon Rodeo, untethered and tethered balloon rides, and a walk-thru balloon.

Key Festival Information:

• Admission to the Festival is $10 per adult, $5 per child 6-12. Children under 6 are free.
• Folding chairs, blankets, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and comfortable shoes are musts for a fun summer festival experience. Pack a flashlight to navigate your way to the car after dark. No Coolers, outside alcohol or pets allowed.
• Tickets can be purchased in advance online for general admission and some special events and balloon rides. All purchases are final except for festival cancellation. If your ride is cancelled it will be rescheduled at another time.
• Tickets can be purchased at the event with cash only, credit cards will not be accepted, but there will be an ATM available.

Festival Schedule (Highlights included below, full schedule can be found here)

Friday

• 4:00 pm: Gates open to the public, drive in or fly in
• 4:00-6:00 pm: Future Aviators Kid Zone Opens. Sponsored by the Future Aviator Camp instructor again this year, the Kids Zone is an interactive experience exhibit including flight simulators, remote control airplane simulators, aircraft riveting, fabric covering stations, paper airplane contests, and more.
• 6:30 pm Balloon launch, weather permitting
• 8:30 pm Balloon glow, weather permitting

Saturday

• 8:00 am: Gates open to public, drive in or fly in
• 12:00 pm: Walk Through balloon begins; Helicopter Rides (12:00-3:00 pm); Future Aviators Kid Zone (12:00-5:00 pm)
• 3:00 pm Tethered Balloon Rides, weather permitting
• 6:30 pm Balloons launch, weather permitting
• 8:30 pm Balloon glow, weather permitting
• 9:00 pm Fireworks (rain date Sunday)

Sunday

• 11:00 am: Gates Open to the public
• 11:30 am- 12:30 pm: Fire trucks arrive
• 12:00 pm: Walk Through balloon begins; Helicopter Rides (12:00-3:00 pm)
• 12:30 pm Fire Truck Parade
• 1:00 pm: Fireman Rescue Demos (on the hour, again at 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm); Future Aviators Kid Zone Open Kid Zone Open (1:00-5:00 pm)
• 2:00 pm Band begins (Summit Hill Bluegrass)
• 3:00-6:00 pm Tethered balloon Rides, weather permitting
• 6:30 pm Balloon Launch, weather permitting

Proceeds of the Festival

The Chester County Balloon Festival is a non-profit organization with proceeds going to the Chester County Hero Fund and other local community groups. The Chester County Hero Fund provides necessary financial assistance to the widows, children, and families who are left with little or no support when a police officer, deputy sheriff, firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic or state trooper loses his/her life or is seriously injured in the line of duty. Your entire donation goes to benefit first responder recipients and is tax deductible.

______
Top photo credit: balloon lanterns via photopin (license)