When he was very young, Mark Donahue’s parents kept scrapbooks of possible interests for each of their children. Space exploration. Rockets. Mark’s scrapbook began with hot-air balloons. He’s been to the Adirondack Balloon Festival every year since it began and has been captivated with balloons ever since he can remember. At every festival, for 40 years his scrapbook still filling up with flights.
What: The 40th annual Adirondack Balloon Festival
Where: Locations around Glens Falls and Queensbury
When: Sept. 20-23
How much: Free
Today Mark is chairman of the board of directors of the festival. He was asked to join the board 14 years ago.
“Last year I was appointed president and lead organizer,” he said. “I love doing it, but sadly, I am now too busy to fly in the event!”
“I took my first flight at the age of 10,” said Mark. “And I started to fly before I could drive a car. Two weeks after graduating from college, my family helped me purchase my first balloon, which I still have today. We named it Family Affair.” These days Mark flies as much as he can as many weekends as possible from April until snowfall.
Of course, the Adirondack Balloon Festival is all about the balloons and this festival is a bigger deal than you might imagine. Over the years, the festival has drawn international exposure and created relationships with cities like Saga, Japan, and Gatineau, Quebec. Pilots come each year from all over the world to participate in what has been named one of the Top 100 events in North America. The festival has received accolades from the Weather Channel and the Food Network, and is bigger than ever for its 40th anniversary.
It’s also New York’s largest hot-air balloon festival, and the oldest and largest balloon event on the East Coast. Set against the backdrop of the striking Adirondack Mountains, this year’s festival will feature 100 balloons the most it’s ever had some in unique shapes, including a birthday cake balloon as first in flight, celebratory banner in tow.
In the afternoon, when the balloons don’t fly, the festival has musical entertainment, food vendors, bounce houses, a rock climbing wall, travel exhibits, kite flying, a craft fair and aircraft displays. And in the evenings, “Moonglow” balloons float with flashlights illuminating their magnificence. Saturday morning features a big balloon breakfast, and on Sunday morning, there are church services and one last liftoff of 100 balloons.
Want a ride? The festival does not coordinate or book balloon rides, but if you go to the website, (www.adirondackballoonfest.org), you can click on any balloon with a name and contact information, and call to book a flight.
Andrew Avon of UpstateBallooning.com is one of the balloonists who accept passengers.
“I grew up in Glens Falls. As a local pilot, I know the area,” Andrew said, “and I love ballooning.” Andrew also pilots for SunkissBallooning.com, which will be there too, offering rides. It’s best to book now, because there won’t be many empty seats.
This year’s 40th annual Adirondack Balloon Festival, which takes place Sept. 20-23, has an entertaining schedule filled with activities, all free of admission charge. Events take place at Crandall Park in the City of Glens Falls and the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in the Town of Queensbury. All balloon events are held weather permitting.
“A balloon is an aircraft just like an airplane,” Mark explained. “The FAA oversees the aircraft and the licensing. Safety is paramount, so they are present to assist.”
“(The festival) is all about people, family and community,” said Mark. “Those of us involved in organizing it are all volunteers; we’re a not-for-profit organization. Funding for the event is raised in the community, and the money made by the civic organizations at the event stays in our community.”
Donations will be accepted for parking; premiere VIP parking is available for a fee.
For more details and information, visit the Adirondack Balloon Festival’s website (www.adirondackballoonfest.org) or call (518) 222-4593.
Amy Wink Krebs lives in Albany, NY. She loves discovering cool things for kids and families in the Capital District, then sharing them with you. You can write to Amy at [email protected].
