Write a commentLights will soar at the first Oswego County Balloon Festival this summer from June 6 to 8, 2014, at the Sandy Creek Fairgrounds.
The first Oswego County Balloon Festival is hosted by All Over Events. Melissa Stevens, owner of All Over Events, brought vendors to a balloon fest in Jamesville. After bringing vendors to a balloon fest in Jamesville, Stevens decided it would be a great way to bring business to her community. "It's the largest event we've [All Over Events] ever done," Steven's said. With success, she hopes to make the balloon fest an annual event.
Ten hot air balloons will be at the event, along with other activities. Admission will be $8 for presale tickets and $10 at the door. Children under 10 will be admitted for free. Within the event there will be a "kids zone" that includes a petting zoo, bounce house, and face painting. The festival will also include 15 bands, wine tasting, food vendors, and a craft fair.
Above All Balloon Rides, owners of the hot air balloons, can be contacted at 315-263-6124 to reserve a ride. The cost will be $175 for a morning flight and $200 for an evening flight. Time varies between 30 and 50 minutes, depending on how long the pilot can see a landing spot. Since hot air balloons go with the wind, a pilot can't plan when they will land; it all depends on positioning.
Above All Balloon Rides prefers that guests wear sneakers or hiking boots, and need to know if a passenger weighs more than 250 pounds. Since balloon flying is a rigorous activity, people who are pregnant or have knee or hip issues will be unable to participate. If there are any other serious medical conditions, then the pilot should be informed prior to takeoff.
Stevens said, "The hot air balloons are awesome and look pretty flying over." A balloon glow will take place on Saturday, June 7. Hot air balloons will soar into the air, then come back and sit on the ground, creating a giant candle-like atmosphere. There will also be a balloon walk that costs $2, which allows for guests to walk through a hot air balloon that is turned on its side.
"The idea of having 15 local bands in three days is a really attracting idea," said Lauren Lasky, a sophomore at SUNY Oswego. "The only other known event Oswego County has like this is Harborfest." Lasky, also an intern at iHeart Oswego, hopes that the balloon fest will encourage students to come to the area for reasons other than school.
In agreement, Victoria Gailinas, owner of iHeart Oswego, said, "I'm highly encouraged that other privately owned and operated businesses are getting involved within county-wide events for the better of the overall community."
Gailinas strives to bridge the gap between SUNY Oswego and the surrounding community, and hopes that the Balloon Fest will encourage this. "Anything involving Oswego, we're going to be involved," she said. Gailinas has done promotions, including having interns create the flier that advertises the balloon fest.
Stevens said this is the largest event she has ever done and is hoping that it will bring business to the community. She has local sponsors that will have booths at the event, such as iHeart Oswego, Zink T-shirts, WOLF Radio, CNY Central News Station, and Port City Blue Print.
