Beach Boys To Headline QuickChek NJ Festival Of Ballooning

READINGTON, NJ — The three-day 37th annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning will be held July 26, 27, and 28 at Solberg Airport, 39 Thor Solberg Rd., Readington in Hunterdon County. Here is everything you need to know before you go:

The annual event features the opportunity to see up to 100 sport and special shaped hot air balloons from around the world. Additionally the festival offers family entertainment including a live concert series; a fireworks display; a nighttime balloon glow where the balloons are inflated and lit up like giant lanterns; the Flippenout extreme trampoline show; children’s amusement rides and age-appropriate entertainment; attractions and exhibits and hundreds of crafters and food vendors.

Balloons this year include:

• The 115-foot-tall QuickChek flying lighthouse
• New special shaped balloons include a pair of 86-foot-tall cops and robbers balloons (Keystone Willy and Con Air); a 98-foot-tall Kermie the Frog; and a 100-foot-tall pink High Kitty.
• Returning favorite shaped balloons include a 92-foot-tall Simba the Lion, the 110-foot-tall Unique Photo panda, the 105-foot-tall Bimbo Bakeries bear, and an 80-foot-tall Pepsi football.
• The 5-story tall PNC American Flag balloon will also return. It was created following 9/11 and is the world’s largest free-flying American flag.

Grammy-award winning children’s recording artists Dan Zanes and Claudia Eliaza will be performing in concert Friday, July 26 at 1:30 p.m. with ABBA The Concert presented by PNC Bank in association with Magic 98.3 Friday night at 8 p.m. followed by a fireworks display.

Country-pop sensations and Grammy Award winners The Band Perry performs Saturday night, July 27 at 8 p.m. presented by the New Jersey Lottery and in conjunction with the beautiful nighttime hot air balloon glow.

The legendary Beach Boys will headline Sunday afternoon, July 28 at 3 p.m. in association with Q104.3.

Advance tickets offering great savings are available at all QuickChek stores, by calling 1-800-HOT-AIR9 or online at www.balloonfestival.com.

Hours:

• Friday, July 26 – 1 to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, July 27 – 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday, July 28 – 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Mass hot air balloon inflations and ascensions scheduled for 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for adults are $30 to $35, children $12 to $15, ages 3 and under are free; VIP is $69 to $125; Military discount available. Tickets available at all QuickChek store locations, online, and at the gate.

For more information call 1-800-HOT-AIR9 or 973-882-5464 or visit www.balloonfestival.com.

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