NJ Festival Of Ballooning Set To Take Off In 2021 Amid Pandemic

READINGTON, NJ — Plans are already underway to ensure the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning takes flight in 2021. This follows its cancellation in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This will be the 38th edition of the annual three-day event at Solberg Airport in Readington since taking flight in 1983. The festival is set for July 23 to 25.

Styx has already been announced to perform on Sunday, July 25 at the festival. The headliner for Saturday, July 24 will be announced soon, according to balloonfestival.com.

Despite concerns about the pandemic, festival officials are going to work to make it happen in 2021.

"We do have contingency plans if necessary, to move to late summer or early fall to ensure that you will be able to experience 'live' hot air balloon launches in 2021!"

In order to adhere to safety guidelines, the festival will implement measures to offer a safe experience.

"We will follow the lead of Governor Murphy on the size of mass gatherings, as well as the sanitization guidelines and protocols set forth by the CDC and local agencies. You can expect to see lots more hand sanitizer stations, attendants to wipe down bathrooms, other most-touched surfaces, etc. We’re working on cashless/touchless payment systems. Also, whatever else will be required at that time so that we can assure the safest, healthiest and most patron-friendly event possible," according to the festival.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit balloonfestival.com.

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