The 37th Annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning
We have been attending the NJ QuickCheck Festival of Ballooning for a number of years now and we look forward to it each year.
You can see some of our past posts of the festival here: 2015 Day 1 • 2015 Day 2 • 2017 • 2018
It amazes me how lucky they have been over the years, that the weather continues to bless this festival. There was only one exception two years ago when they had to close the festival early one day because of a severe thunderstorm.
Of course, the Hot Air Balloons need a calm wind and a clear sky to fly. This year, although temps reached into the high 90’s, it was one of the best days for riding in a balloon or being a spectator. This is why the ascensions are at 6:30 AM and 6:30 PM, because of calm skies and nice breezes to take the Balloons where they have to go.
Each year my wife and I and our service dog Georgie attend the Festival of Ballooning.
It is estimated that over 100,000 people attended the festival each year, but with all the land at Soldberg Airport, it is maneageble. The ground is also packed with excited, happy families getting ready to enjoy not only the balloons but the festival activities too.
Come Early
It is always a good idea to travel early and avoid heavy traffic. The morning mass ascensions start at 6:30 AM on all three days. They are beautiful, and the weather is also cooler earlier in the day. We did notice on Sunday when we left that hundreds of cars were coming for the 6:30 PM evening ascensions.
While watching the ascensions on Saturday evening and we were so tired and hot on Sunday that we left early. We can never seem to make it for the early morning ascensions which start at 6:30 AM, but if you live close to the airport or are an early riser it is worth seeing it in the morning.
We used to start out early but never had the strength to go all day, but locals can do this and it is worth the time to see all the ascensions if you can.
Balloon Ascensions:
Friday: 6:30 pm
Saturday: 6:30 am and 6:30 pm
Sunday: 6:30 am and 6:30 pm
Ticket Prices
The cost to attend is inexpensive compared to all the amusement parks and other events you might attend. If you buy your tickets early you can get an Early Bird rate and buy them at any QuickChek store or online. This year tickets on the Early Bird were only $24 for an adult until June 23rd, $30 by June 24th and $35 at the gate. Children are $10, $12 and $15.
From Their Website
The QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America.
We are the premiere family entertainment attraction in New Jersey. It holds the dual distinction of being a recipient of The New Jersey Governor’s Award for Best Special Event. It has been designated, for the 6th time, as a Top 100 Festival in North America by the American Bus Association.
Held annually at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ, the festival truly has something for everyone!
Twice daily mass ascensions of up to 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons.
Headlining concerts, non-stop family entertainment, hundreds of crafters and vendors. Of course some great food, fireworks, a balloon glow, and more. This festival is jam-packed with fun stuff to do.
Participating Companies-FREE Stuff
There participating companies and booths at the NJ QuickCheck Festival of Ballooning with many distributing FREE samples of their company’s products.
Kind brought in what seemed to be their entire team to distribute full-sized Kind Bars to the attendees.
At the end of the two days at the NJ QuickCheck Festival of Ballooning, we literally had hundreds of candy bars, potato chips, and so many other goodies. We are now stocked until next year’s festival. You can see many of the exhibitors in our photo gallery.
We Love Kind
FREE Health Cigna Screening Exhibit
My wife and I signed up for our Cigna took a drop of blood, weighed me in and measured around my waist. I found out I had shrunk 2″ from my 5’8″ height.
My good cholesterol was better than ideal, she knew I had to be on a cholesterol drug :-). Everything else in the test was wonderful, except my waist circumference, got to get rid of the belly fat.
Entertainment – Music – Food
In our photo gallery, you will see that the crowds come not only for the Hot Air Balloons but also for entertainment. There was a magic show as well as a demonstration of skill and danger on trampolines.
Quickchek had a massive tent serving all sorts of food and drinks. Loads of tables on the outside with umbrellas for their guests. Vendors lined one lane with so many food options too.
Of course, there is their concert series this year Saturday evening it was the Band Perry on Sunday afternoon it was the Beach Boys. Those that wanted seats could purchase the VIP tickets, the pilots and the crew of the balloons were given access to the side of the theater and watched through the chain-link fence. Others were able to listen to the music that was loud enough to hear from a great distance.
For the Children
As you can see in our photos there were rides for the children, including a ride on a real pony, many huge inflatable rides and so much more. Everyone had a wonderful time and we recommend if you are in driving distance from the Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ next year to plan ahead and spend the time enjoying the best event for the summer in New Jersey.
Our Flickr Photo Gallery
There are 226 photos · and 11 video clips in our Flickr Gallery below and even download those you like.
Note: These are for your use only and not to be used commercially without our permission or our copyright notice.
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