Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival in Rhinebeck July 6-8!

Date Published: June 12, 2018

Look! Up in the sky! It’s the 27^th Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival, hosted by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce from July 6-8.  Plan for a great weekend with balloonists and vendors traveling in to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinbeck from all over the USA. Balloonists will now have room to launch and fly in all directions, enabling 360 degree views.

Festival faves are the Majestic Hot-Air Balloon Illumination Moon Glow, and rides in the balloons, of course! What balloons are attending the 27^th annual festival? Meet the 2018 Balloon Festival Pilots here! Meet the Balloonmeisters who are organizing the entire festival, Roger & Michele Hooper of Hudson Valley Balloon Adventures.

All day, try a Tethered Hot-Air Balloon Ride for $20 (cash-only at fest). Some Balloon Rides available by advance purchase only. Take a chopper ride from Independent Helicopters – reserve in advance. Info on launch times and delays all weekend is via the Chamber's Facebook page.

Afternoon launches are at 6 pm Fri. & Sat., and mornings at 6am on Sat. & Sun. The Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival runs Friday, 4-9:30pm; Sat., 5am gates open; it’s free for morning launches until 10am; fee charged 12-9:30 pm. In addition to 100 balloon launches planned, enjoy expanded activates with 80 vendors hosting family fun activities, food & craft beverage tasting, selling retail products and live music; see schedule. There will even be Birds of Prey exhibit, Inflatables, Reptile Encounters exhibit, Illusionist Ryan Dutcher, Bee Bee the Clown, mechanical bull riding, Roaming Railroad, mini golf, and Escape Rooms by Headless Horseman. See a Moon Glow Friday & Saturday nights. Book signing by local teen author, Erin Forbes is set for 4-7 pm every day. Saturday tickets are $10/advance, $13/gate, and $23 weekend passes. Save with advance tickets now.

Veterans Recognition Project: The Warrior Wagon will do an honor ceremony for service men and women on a horse drawn wagon at 8PM on Friday and Saturday.  The ceremonies will start at the beginning of the kickoff with Aerophone, the presentation of colors right before the moon glow. The wagon will be on display all weekend. It is the Year of the Veteran in Dutchess County.

Dutchess County Fairgrounds is located at 6636 Route 9 in Rhinebeck 12572 and offers free parking. The south east lot closest to Main Gate #1 is designated specifically for persons with disabilities. Get driving directions from Google Maps. Save on gas! Take the train or bus and visit the Balloon Festival. Amtrak is accessible via the Rhinecliff (RHI) station in Rhinecliff.  If you're coming from Albany or NYC, the Rhinecliff station is close to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds (3 miles and 7 minute cab ride). Customer service is 800-872-7245. Get bus transportation information here.

More than 25,000 visitors the Hot Air Balloon Festival attended in 2017. Follow the Fest on social media #dcrcocballoon for updates all weekend!