It’s July in the Hudson Valley, which can only mean one thing: it’s time for the annual Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce Balloon Festival.
The festival, which is entering its 16th year overall and ninth under the direction of the chamber, has become a staple of Hudson Valley summers. The free, three-day festival will kick off next Friday, July 18, at Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie. Balloons will launch around the county on Friday and Saturday evening followed by mass launchings on Saturday and Sunday morning from The Hudson River Rowing Association Community Boathouse in Poughkeepsie.
“Once the county decided not to host the event anymore, we wanted to get involved,” said Charlie North, the president and CEO of the chamber. “The balloonists came to us and we added a new twist (with the scattered launchings on Friday and Saturday). It’s our big summer event. The whole festival is really a complimentary gift to the community from our sponsors who defray the cost. We love being the conduit for that.”
Perhaps no one is more connected to the balloon festival than “Balloonmeister” Bill Hughes. Hughes – owner of the hot air balloon tour service Blue Sky Balloons since 1993 – came up with the idea for the event in the early ’90s and has been in charge of overseeing all “balloon activities” ever since. “Balloon activities” could be anything from inviting and screening pilots, making hotel accommodations for the pilots, inspecting the launch venues for safety and working with the balloonists to make final decisions on whether the weather is good enough to fly.
“The event has really built up a big following,” said Hughes, who has also owned a helicopter business. “People come for the color and excitement of the take-offs, but it’s also a nice community-type event.”
Hughes also pointed out that while the festival is mostly a spectator’s event, visitors are permitted to schedule their own rides if they’re feeling particularly adventurous.
North waxes poetic when he talks about the way the balloon festival has become so inextricably linked with this time of year.
“There’s nothing more breathtaking than balloons taking off or the carnival lights shimmering off the Hudson or the way the fireworks look over the river,” he said. “It wouldn’t be summer without this festival.”
“The last couple of years I’ve really noticed the morning flights and the way the balloons reflect against the river,” echoes the equally awed Hughes. “It’s really neat. It’s become a landmark event.”
In addition to the balloons, the festival will feature a number of community events for people of all ages. The Gillette Shows Carnival at Waryas Park will run from Wednesday, July 16 through Saturday July 19. Saturday will also see the return of the Chamber’s Cruise-In auto event in which any driver can park his or her car at Waryas for public viewing. Chris Wimmers of Musically Yours and Salvo – a world-renowned saxophonist from Italy – will provide entertainment.
“This festival really ties in with our whole theme: ‘Think Local First,’” said North. “People don’t have to travel to see something (amazing). It’s really just about being together, staying local and providing great entertainment for the family. It’s Americana in the truest sense.”
Because balloonists are still being added to the program and weather sometimes prevents launches, people interested in attending can call 845-505-HOTT for up-to-the-minute status updates during the week of the festival. For additional information on the schedule or to learn more about the participating balloonists, visit www.dcrcoc.org.