This year’s Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival takes place Friday-Sunday, June 3-5 at Warren Community College, Route 57, Washington Township. The event includes Hot Air Balloons, Drone Demos, Arts & Crafts Vendors, Food Trucks and more!

Warren Community College is the site of the first balloon festival for the season with three days of exciting fun, 3-9 p.m. each day.

Tickets can be purchased online at a discount, through June 1. Discount tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for youth ages 4-12, children 3 and under are free of charge and parking is $5. After June 1, admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 4-12 and parking remains at $5.  (Online charges apply but the more you buy, the more you save. Cash only at the gate.) 

The gates open on Friday, June 3, at 3 p.m.  (Note: Hurricane Rescheduled Date is June 10-12).

If you have never attended a hot air balloon festival before, here is what to expect. Balloons are normally on display in the evenings, prior to the scheduled launch time. A tether balloon will set up around 4:30 p.m. for tethered rides. Take a short trip up and down for a nice view of the festivities from the air. Pricing is $20 for adults, $15 for ages 4-12, and 3 and under is free with a paying adult. The timing may change if the winds are not conducive to handling the balloon in a safe manner. Organizers anticipate up to 20 balloons in attendance, including the sponsor balloon of presenting sponsor, Alston Construction LLC, as well as sponsor Unity Bank and RE/MAX. Full flights are available for purchase by calling 908-283-0721 or emailing fly@njballoonrides.com

Did you know that Warren Community College has one of the top Drone programs in the nation? Learn how to build, repair or fly a drone. There are a variety of professions that utilize drone technology for efficiency, and you could be on the forefront of this fast growing field. Be sure to check out the daily Drone demonstrations happening at the College’s very own Drone Port. 

Musical entertainment is planned for each day. The event kicks off with S.C.3. Entertainment, followed at 6 pm by local favorite, Stevie Vicks acoustic duo. Vocalists, Steve and Vicki, blend acoustic versions of all your favorite pop, classic rock and country hits together with spot-on vocal harmonies and soaring lead vocals, putting Stevie Vicks in a class by themselves.  

Other musical entertainment for the weekend includes local favorite DJ GoldN playing the beats during the Hot Rides & Hot Air Balloons Car & Truck Show, on Saturday, June 4.  Pre-registration is recommended for the car show, to ensure your spot. There will be awards for the Top 10 entries — people’s choice, and a Best of Show — judged.  From 6-9 pm enjoy the music of local, award-winning singer and songwriter, Leah Fuls. 

DJ GoldN returns on Sunday, June 5, with a Music and Movements dance party, from 3-6 pm.  Back by popular demand, local favorites Jeff Bellfy Band will play from 6-9 p.m. All entertainment is included in the admission price.

Shop and explore at the Arts & Crafts and other exhibitor vendor booths. Find great festival food choices, from a variety of food trucks. If you have little ones, visit the children’s tent with activities, free of charge, from 3-7 p.m. 

For big and small kids, step right up and learn Circus Skills with Grins & Grins! Try your hand at juggling, plate spinning and more at this family-friendly workshop, daily from 4-6 p.m. Grins & Grins are professional Circus/Variety performers who have been invited to teach and perform all over the world. Stop by and see if you’ve got the skills to run away with the Circus!

The Warren Community College has plenty of lawn to spread out and social distance. Pets, food and alcoholic beverages are prohibited (with the exception of snacks & beverages for small children). Feel free to bring blankets, lawn chairs, small games like quoits and corn hole. 

Proceeds from the event support the Warren County Community College Foundation, the Fred T. Grotenhuis Veterans Community Center project and the Fred Grotenhuis scholarships (fredgscholarships.org).

Visit www.balloonfestnj.com/more-festivals.html for full details, including pricing, parking, tethered and full balloon flight, and for online tickets.  Note, tethered rides are first come, first served and may not be reserved.