ADK Balloon Festival 2020 is Cancelled

This years Adirondack Balloon Festival, one of the largest Hot Air Balloon festivals in the United States, and was originally scheduled for September 17 through the 20th has been cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns. In a message posted on their Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon, the Board of Directors for the festival wrote:

"The Board of Directors of the Adirondack Balloon Festival is disappointed to share that this year’s event scheduled to be held September 17th to the 20th will be cancelled. “The most important part in planning in an event of this magnitude is safety. Safety is not only for our balloon pilots, but also includes our spectators, law enforcement, public works, fire and rescue staff, vendors, volunteers, musical acts, and our landowners in the region.

This is an unprecedented decision for us and one we did not take lightly. Our decision process included discussions with state officials and the Federal Aviation Administration officials as well. This event is for the community by the community. We have a responsibility to make certain social distancing occurs and we do not feel we could make that happen with the tens of thousands of people who attend our event.” said Mark Donahue, President of the Festival’s Board of Directors. In addition, we felt it was inappropriate of us to ask local businesses for support when they are struggling to reopen or survive.

Putting the event on pause for a year will help us to come back in 2021 and have guidelines established by New York State in place for events of our magnitude to provide a safe, enjoyable event for all to enjoy.

“Our Board is already looking ahead to 2021”, Donahue adds. With funding being a serious concern for the future, the Festival hopes to embark on some fundraising activities this fall to help support 2021. The dates for the 2021 Adirondack Balloon Festival will be September 23-26th, 2021.

ABF STRONG - COVID MAY HAVE GROUNDED US, BUT OUR SPIRITS WILL STILL SOAR!!!! #ABFSTRONG"


 

This would have been the 48th year of the festival which has grown from its earliest humble beginnings with a handful of enthusiasts at SUNY Adirondack in the 70's to a major international event attended by over 15,000 festival go-ers yearly. Through the years, the event has drawn international exposure for the Glens Falls region with relationships being formed with cities such as Saga, Japan and Gatineau, Quebec.  The event brings balloonists from across the United Statesand Canada as well as internationally based pilots, to the Warren County Airport in Queensbury, NY.
 
*Editors Note: The accompanying video, "The Adirondack Balloon Festival" was produced by Pepe Productions for the festival organizers.

The Adirondack Balloon Festival - Pepe Productions

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Submitted by Carmel, NY

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