Come out to Warren County and explore the beautiful terrain as the seasons begin to change. Nestled in Washington Township, Warren Community College is where you will find a mix of The hot air balloons, fun & games on September 21 & 22.
Hot air balloons will take off each evening between 5:15-6:00 p.m. (weather permitting). Limited full flight hot air balloon rides are available. Tethered ride (short up and down) are also available for $30 per adult and $20 youth ages 4-12. The evening ends with a balloon glow with Fred G. Monster special shape, and other select balloons, beginning around 7:15 pm. The glow will be accompanied by DJ GOLDN, hosting a dance party from 6-8 pm, playing music for the occasion and handing out patriotic glow bracelets for the show.
Gates open at 2 pm and the festivities run until 8 pm each evening. Enjoy a variety of food trucks, vendors, children’s entertainment and games, live bands and DJ, tethered rides, and of course, the mass balloon launch. Find the schedule online at balloonfestnj.com, along with other quick links to ticket sales, car show registration, and vendor applications.
Did you know that Warren Community College has one of the top Uncrewed Systems Programs in the nation? Learn how to pilot, design and develop, maintain and repair drones, in addition to AI and Robotics. There are a variety of professions that utilize Uncrewed Systems 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.
Purchase tickets at the Balloon Ride Tent for tethered rides ($30 per adult and $20 youth ages 4-12). The festival organizers welcome new sponsor, Hunterdon Hospital. Keep an eye out for their very own hot air balloon, which will be tethering on Saturday night. All proceeds from the tethers will go to the Fred Grotenhuis Memorial Scholarships.
Game tickets are $5 each and each attraction may require more than one ticket. Ax Throwing a try, $5 for 5 minutes will allow you to hone your skill! On Sunday, Autocades vintage video games trailer is back, with $10 wristbands or $20 family special. There are also free games, crafts and free mini golf and bounce house ($3) at the Fascination Place, sponsored by NY Life Insurance. Other free entertainment at the tent includes Clancy & Lolli balloon animals and face painting, learn circus tricks with Grins. Sunday also includes and the magic and comedy of Balloons the Clown.
Explore Warren County's Timeline of Technology with our very own Renaissance man, Henry Skirbst! Join Henry on a spirited journey through the past, present, and future of Warren County, NJ. Help Warren County celebrate it’s upcoming Bicentennial Celebration in 2025. Take the Warren County Timeline of Technology Challenge scavenger hunt. At the Fascination Place, Henry puts on his Rocket Man hat and works with visitors to build paper rocket. See how far yours travels!
Musical entertainment on Saturday is the Stevie Vicks Duo from 3-6 pm and on Sunday is TimeWhys Band from 3-6pm. Enjoy the dance glow party with DJ GOLDN from 6-8 pm each night.
Saturday features the Hot Rods & Hot Air Balloons Car & Truck Show, from 2-5 pm, with all the registration fees supporting the Fred T. Grotenhuis Veterans Community Center project. Pre-registration is just $15 and includes entry into the event for you and your riders. Registration day of the event is $20. Registration/check-in for the car show begins at 1 p.m. Top 10, participant judged and Best of Show, panel judged will be awarded at 5 p.m. Download the details and pre-registration form from the website.
Purchase Adance Tickets online and save! Handling fees apply. Online tickets have the option of ticket protection.
At the Gate: Cash or Credit.
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 Community College Foundation, the Fred T. Grotenhuis Veterans Community Center project and the Fred Grotenhuis scholarships (fredgscholarships.org).
The Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival is supported in part by a grant from the NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism (VisitNJ.org).
Warren Community College is conveniently located on Route 57, just minutes from Routes 31, 22 and 78 and less than 1.5 hours from both Philly and New York City.
Consider Rutherfurd Hall as refuge and sanctuary in similar ways now, as it served a distinguished family a hundred years ago.
Choose and Cut from 10,000 trees! Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Scotch Pine Fraser Fir, Canaan fir, Douglas Fir. Family run on preserved farmland. Open Nov 29 - Dec 23, Tues-Sunday, 9-4. Easy Access from Routes 78 or 80.
Guided fly fishing excursions, beginner to expert, instruction also available. Catch trout in spring, smallmouth bass in summer, ice fishing in winter. Explore the Paulinskill, Flatbrook and wild trout streams.
The 8,461 acre park includes the 2500-acre Deer Lake Park, Waterloo Village, mountain bike and horseback trails.
Local roots!
