Hartford Area Chamber Prepares for Balloon Festival
QUECHEE, VT – The Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival, the longest running hot air balloon festival in New England, will celebrate its 43rd anniversary in 2023 when thousands are expected to flock to central Vermont, June 16 - 18, 2023 (Father’s Day weekend).
Fifteen balloonists headline the event with five flights slated throughout the weekend and additional tethered rides during the day. Attendees can visit 60 craft vendors, indulge in a variety of fares from 16 food vendors and sit back and enjoy dozens of entertainers for all ages, over the three-day extravaganza. A variety of festival favorites and new food offerings with local healthy options and a beer and wine garden are planned.
“We are proud to celebrate the 43rd anniversary of Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival which truly epitomizes what a community event stands for,” said P.J. Skehan, Executive Director of the Hartford Area Chamber, who hosts and manages the annual event. “Our sponsors, volunteers and the town come together and rally each year to make this a benchmark event. It truly epitomizes what we can achieve when our community comes together.”
Festivalgoers have much to choose from during the three-day event. They can start their day at sunrise and watch morning balloon lift-offs while indulging in breakfast and coffee. The afternoon can be spent enjoying stellar entertainment or visiting the various artisans and food vendors. During evening liftoff, you can grab dinner and sit hillside on the Quechee Green or consider waiting until dusk for the balloon-glow show.
Headlining this year’s three-day extravaganza of entertainers are Pups in the Air, Skyhigh Skydivers, Frydaddy, Ida Mae Specker, Prydein, The Outcrops and Mamadou.
“The Quechee Balloon Festival is a great boost to our businesses and local economy,” added Skehan. “We are giving the thousands of locals and visitors who support the event many reasons to come to the festival and celebrate with us. This really is just a fun time for everyone.”
Dates for the Quechee Balloon Festival are June 16, 17, 18, 2023 (Father’s Day Weekend). Hours are as follows: Friday from 3:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M., Saturday 6AM to 9PM and Sunday from 6:00 A.M. to 7 P.M. For more information about Balloon Rides and schedule please visit: www.quecheeballoonfestival.com
THE HARTFORD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (HACC) hosts the Quechee Balloon Festival and helps area businesses succeed with a mission to enhance the economic environment. Through networking, events, savings programs, and disseminating information HACC offers member businesses an advantage in the marketplace. HACC, in collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers and the VT Department of Forests Parks and Recreation, also manages and staffs the Quechee Gorge Visitor center which is part of the 612-acre Quechee Gorge State Park that welcomes over 100,00 visitors yearly from all parts of the globe. For more information visit: https://www.hartfordvtchamber.com/, call 802.295.7900 or email: [email protected]
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