Here in Lake George, the fun doesn’t stop after Labor Day. In fact, the Adirondack Nationals Car Show is held the weekend after Labor Day, and Shepard Park hosts a three-day jazz festival every year in mid-September. But when it comes to early fall events, everybody’s favorite is the Adirondack Balloon Festival.
Adirondack Balloon Festival Details
The Adirondack Balloon Festival is the oldest and largest hot air balloon festival on the East Coast. The four-day event is free, and held in mid to late-September at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in nearby Queensbury, NY. Over the course of four days, the festival features multiple flights of 70+ balloons, food and craft vendors, kids’ activities, live music and more.
The 2024 Adirondack Balloon Festival will be held September 19-22. The schedule is published in July and can be found on the Adirondack Balloon Festival website and Facebook page.
The opening ceremony is typically held on Thursday evening at Crandall Park in Glens Falls, followed by a balloon launch of 10-15 balloons. Evening launches of 70+ balloons are typically scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 5:30 PM at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport, with a Moonglow lit balloon event on Saturday night. Morning launches are held at approximately 7:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday.
History of the Adirondack Balloon Festival
In an effort to attract tourism to Warren County, New York in the early 1970s, Walter & Joan Grishkot founded the Adirondack Balloon Festival. Although both Walter and Joan have passed, a monument honoring the late Grishkots is located on Beach Road in Lake George, near the steamboat docks.
The very first Adirondack Balloon Festival was held in 1973 on the campus of Adirondack Community College, now SUNY Adirondack. As the event grew in size, it was moved to Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury, NY, where it is still held today.
The Adirondack balloon Festival is a not-for-profit organization, which is rare for an event of its size and stature. Thanks to dedicated volunteers and generous community support, the event remains open to the public, free of charge.
Adirondack Balloon Festival Accolades & Attendance
Through the years, the Adirondack Balloon Festival has drawn international exposure to Warren County, NY. It was named one of the Top 100 events in North America, and has been featured on the Weather Channel, the Food Network, and in numerous Associated Press articles, as well as the New York Times, Amtrak and Southwest Airlines.
Each year, the festival features balloonists from across the United States and around the world, and attracts upwards of 100,000 spectators over four days.
Where to Stay for the Adirondack Balloon Festival
Cramer’s Point Lake Breeze is located less then 16 miles from the Adirondack Balloon Festival grounds, and features a selection of Lake George cabins, motel rooms, suites and vacation home rentals. We offer discounted nightly rates after Labor Day and weekly discounts on reservations of 7-nights or more. Check availability and book online, or give us a call at (518) 668-2292.