What is it about hot air balloons that make them so magical and inspire excitement. Well, for one, they are super cool looking, full of vibrant colors, cool images and even a variety of shapes! I suppose, the fact that these massive and majestic hovering marvels make their way through the air, in what appears to be an effortless manner. Whatever the reason, hot air ballooning is clearly a beloved spectator sport for which I cannot get enough.
Spending two days at the 27th Annual Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival, it was hard to keep my head out of clouds with all of the festivities at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, which hosted the event, making this year's balloon bash a 25-reason, memorable experience!
Spending two days at the 27th Annual Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival, it was hard to keep my head out of clouds with all of the festivities at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, which hosted the event, making this year's balloon bash a 25-reason, memorable experience!
(c) travelincousins.com
1. Hot Air Balloons are Just Plain Cool!!
Not much more to say than that! To see a whole bunch of huge, colorful, hot air balloons up close is amazing!
Not much more to say than that! To see a whole bunch of huge, colorful, hot air balloons up close is amazing!
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2. Getting up at the crack of Dawn to watch a launch
While most of the world is still asleep, only a few adventurous souls get up super early to witness a balloon launch!
While most of the world is still asleep, only a few adventurous souls get up super early to witness a balloon launch!
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3. Festive Hot Air Balloon Merchandise
With the Fairgrounds full of vendors of all types, there is a plethora of fun and useful hot air balloon-inspired merchandise from which to choose.
With the Fairgrounds full of vendors of all types, there is a plethora of fun and useful hot air balloon-inspired merchandise from which to choose.
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4. Dutchess County Fairgrounds is a beautiful Venue
One of the nicest of its kind, the Dutchess County Fairgrounds is well laid out, organized, clean and expansive to enjoy all the festivities of a hot air balloon festival.
One of the nicest of its kind, the Dutchess County Fairgrounds is well laid out, organized, clean and expansive to enjoy all the festivities of a hot air balloon festival.
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5. A Salute to our American Veterans
The Warrior Wagon is the horse-drawn War Wagon which was created by Frank Castella, Sr. in order to honor our Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. A wonderful part of this festive event.
The Warrior Wagon is the horse-drawn War Wagon which was created by Frank Castella, Sr. in order to honor our Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. A wonderful part of this festive event.
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6. Rockin' Bandstand Entertainment
No shortage of music to create a lively atmosphere throughout the event!
No shortage of music to create a lively atmosphere throughout the event!
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7. Hot and Sugary Zeppoles
If you are a fan of fried dough and Zeppoles, you will find some of the best here! Light, airy, not greasy and full of powdered sugary goodness!
If you are a fan of fried dough and Zeppoles, you will find some of the best here! Light, airy, not greasy and full of powdered sugary goodness!
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8. Family Friendly Fun & Games
Slides and bouncy house galore for the little ones to enjoy and stay busy, making the festival a perfect family destination.
Slides and bouncy house galore for the little ones to enjoy and stay busy, making the festival a perfect family destination.
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9. Rhinebeck Aerodrome Antique Airplane Fly-overs
Enjoy taking a step back in time to the early 20th Century, viewing the antique airplanes gracing the skies!
Enjoy taking a step back in time to the early 20th Century, viewing the antique airplanes gracing the skies!
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10. Comfortable and Roomy Grandstand
For the perfect view of the Fairgrounds, Musical entertainment and of course, the Night Glow and Candlestick Glow, the Grandstand is the place to be.
For the perfect view of the Fairgrounds, Musical entertainment and of course, the Night Glow and Candlestick Glow, the Grandstand is the place to be.
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11. Candlestick Glow at Night
A special treat for the first night of the 2018 festival due to winds too high for the planned Balloon Glow, it was an incredible sight.
A special treat for the first night of the 2018 festival due to winds too high for the planned Balloon Glow, it was an incredible sight.
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12. Patriotic and Big Band Music under the Night Sky
from Aerophone 50-piece band
Did you know that Hudson Valley has an amazing community band? Aerophone, a 50-piece band, under the direction of Richard Holod, who founded Aerophone in 2009 as another outlet for musicians who are passionate about band literature and want to enrich their playing experience by rehearsing and performing with others who share their enthusiasm. Listening to music under the stars is pure joy.
from Aerophone 50-piece band
Did you know that Hudson Valley has an amazing community band? Aerophone, a 50-piece band, under the direction of Richard Holod, who founded Aerophone in 2009 as another outlet for musicians who are passionate about band literature and want to enrich their playing experience by rehearsing and performing with others who share their enthusiasm. Listening to music under the stars is pure joy.
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13. The Historic Town of Rhinebeck
An exciting aspect of attending the Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival, is that it takes place in the historic and quaint town of Rhinebeck, New York. With a history over 300 years old, it is a mecca for art & culture, fine dining, casual bistros, and has been touted as one of America’s best Gourmet towns. Stroll the streets, browse the little boutiques and snap away at historic buildings such as the Rhinebeck Post Office, Beekman Arms, the oldest inn in America and Benner House.
An exciting aspect of attending the Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival, is that it takes place in the historic and quaint town of Rhinebeck, New York. With a history over 300 years old, it is a mecca for art & culture, fine dining, casual bistros, and has been touted as one of America’s best Gourmet towns. Stroll the streets, browse the little boutiques and snap away at historic buildings such as the Rhinebeck Post Office, Beekman Arms, the oldest inn in America and Benner House.
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14. Cool, Crisp Country Air
Upstate New York is truly breathtaking, with its crisp, clean air and with hot air balloon launch time being first thing in the morning, that cool country air is a great way to start the day!
Upstate New York is truly breathtaking, with its crisp, clean air and with hot air balloon launch time being first thing in the morning, that cool country air is a great way to start the day!
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15. The Excitement of Balloons Inflating
It's hard to imagine that these massive balloons are folded up and stored in bags, but they are! And as the expert ballooners do their thing, getting ready for launch, as a visitor, you have the opportunity to stand as close as you want (without, of course, getting in the way of their set up), to see the whole process, from laying out the balloon to its inflation with the use of a propane burner, to an upright position, once fully inflated!
It's hard to imagine that these massive balloons are folded up and stored in bags, but they are! And as the expert ballooners do their thing, getting ready for launch, as a visitor, you have the opportunity to stand as close as you want (without, of course, getting in the way of their set up), to see the whole process, from laying out the balloon to its inflation with the use of a propane burner, to an upright position, once fully inflated!
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16. The Sound of Hot Air Propane Burners
Being up close to these air floating wonders allows you to hear the fiery burning sound of the propane burners that supply the hot air that keep these giant balloons afloat. The sound is very cool and almost eery but quite an experience to hear!
Being up close to these air floating wonders allows you to hear the fiery burning sound of the propane burners that supply the hot air that keep these giant balloons afloat. The sound is very cool and almost eery but quite an experience to hear!
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17. A Great Weekend Road Trip
Only two and one-half hours from New York City and Long Island, Rhinebeck is a great destination any time, but with the chance to experience hot air balloons up close is a most memorable event around which to create an overnight or weekend visit.
Only two and one-half hours from New York City and Long Island, Rhinebeck is a great destination any time, but with the chance to experience hot air balloons up close is a most memorable event around which to create an overnight or weekend visit.
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18. Great Photo Ops
It's hard to stop snapping away! All the colors, different balloons, it is all one big photo op!
It's hard to stop snapping away! All the colors, different balloons, it is all one big photo op!
(photo credit: balloon_upawayevent)
Tethered Balloon Rides
If you are not up for the heights of a hot air balloon ride (or the cost, which can go well over $200 per person), a tethered balloon ride might be more your style. Safely tethered to the ground, and at a cost of only $20, you can try your hand at hovering above the ground in the basket of a magnificent hot air balloon.
If you are not up for the heights of a hot air balloon ride (or the cost, which can go well over $200 per person), a tethered balloon ride might be more your style. Safely tethered to the ground, and at a cost of only $20, you can try your hand at hovering above the ground in the basket of a magnificent hot air balloon.
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20. Casual All The Way
No need for dressy clothes or fancy outfits. This is a casual and comfortable destination.
No need for dressy clothes or fancy outfits. This is a casual and comfortable destination.
21. Amazing Video Ops to Relive Over and Over - Candle Stick Glow
Photo ops are great but video ops are even better for reliving an experience over and over!
Photo ops are great but video ops are even better for reliving an experience over and over!
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22. Nearby Historical Sites
A hop, skip and a jump away is beautiful Hyde Park, the former home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This historical site has much to experience and combining a bit of history after the fun of hot air balloons really rounds out a visit to Dutchess County.
A hop, skip and a jump away is beautiful Hyde Park, the former home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This historical site has much to experience and combining a bit of history after the fun of hot air balloons really rounds out a visit to Dutchess County.
Balloon laid out and ready for inflation (c) travelincousins.com
23. Great Experience For Kids
No matter how much kids may balk at getting up early, seeing those hot air balloons will leave an impression on them for life!
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24. Manageable Size
Having been to other hot air balloon festivals, this one is a manageable size for seeing and doing everything offered. Although the Dutchess County Fairgrounds is expansive and large, the festival is quite intimate and has all the charm of a small-town America.
Having been to other hot air balloon festivals, this one is a manageable size for seeing and doing everything offered. Although the Dutchess County Fairgrounds is expansive and large, the festival is quite intimate and has all the charm of a small-town America.
25. It's An Annual Event
Not to fear - if you missed the festival this year, you can always catch it next year, in 2019 at the 28th Annual Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival!
Not to fear - if you missed the festival this year, you can always catch it next year, in 2019 at the 28th Annual Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival!
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