The Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival, the longest running hot air balloon festival in New England, will celebrate its 41st anniversary in 2021 when thousands are expected to flock to central Vermont, September 3 – 5, 2021 (Labor Day weekend).

Twenty balloonists will headline the event with five flights slated throughout the weekend and additional tethered rides during the day. Attendees can visit with 50 craft vendors, indulge in a variety of fare from 16 food vendors and sit back and enjoy dozens of entertainers for all ages, over the three-day extravaganza. Children’s activities include Bubble Machines, Rock Climbing wall, and more. A variety of festival favorites and new food offerings and a beer and wine garden are planned.

“After taking a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic we’re proud to celebrate the 41st anniversary of Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival which truly epitomizes what a community event stands for,” said P.J. Skehan, Executive Director of the Hartford Area Chamber, who hosts and manages the annual event. “Our sponsors, volunteers and the town come together and rally each year to make this a benchmark event. It truly epitomizes what we can achieve when our community comes together.”

Festivalgoers have much to choose from for the three-day event. They can start their day at sunrise and watch morning balloon list offs while indulging in breakfast pizza and coffee, spend the day enjoying stellar entertainment or visiting the various artisans and food vendors. During evening liftoff, you can grab dinner and sit hillside on the Quechee Green or consider waiting until dusk for the balloon-glow show.

Headlining this year’s three-day extravaganza of entertainers are A2VT (Friday) Dave Keller Band (Saturday) and The Tricksters (Sunday).

“The Quechee Balloon Festival is a great boost to our economy and local businesses,” added Skehan. “We are giving the thousands of locals and visitors who support the event many reasons to come to the festival and celebrate with us. This really is just a fun time for everyone.”

Hours for the Quechee Balloon Festival Hours are September 3-5, 2021 (Labor Day weekend), Friday 3–10pm, and on Saturday and Sunday 6am–10pm.

The Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Quechee Balloon Festival and helps area businesses succeed with a mission to enhance the economic environment. Through networking, events, savings programs, and disseminating information HACC offers member businesses an advantage in the marketplace. HACC, in collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers and the VT Department of Forests Parks and Recreation, also manages and staffs the Quechee Gorge Visitor center which is part of the 612-acre Quechee Gorge State Park that welcomes over 100,00 visitors yearly from all parts of the globe.

For more information, call 802-295-7900, visit www.hartfordvtchamber.com, or email info@hartfordvtchamber.com.