SHOPPING, BEAUTY & EVENTS PAGE 36 theconnectionsnj.com his year, New Jersey’s Warren County is in a celebratory mood, and there is a lot to celebrate! Twenty-five years ago, the first Hot Air Balloon Festival Hot Air Balloon Festival was held at the Warren County Farmers’ Fair Warren County Farmers’ Fair in Harmony Township. In 2020, the festival was held at Warren County Communi- Warren County Community College (“WCCC”) on its Washington campus, and was one of the only events to take place during the COVID pandemic. The relocation was intended for only one year, but new traditions arose (literally), with the addition of two more balloon festivals in the county. As if that’s not enough to celebrate, Warren County is marking its Bicentennial this year. Fred Grotenhuis, one of the earliest balloon pilots in the area, had the vision of launching a hot air balloon festival at the county fair. Fred was a lifelong resident of Harmony Township, with the exception of the time he served as a US Army helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War era. His fond memories of attending the local Fair each year as a youth, and his love of the Fair, inspired him to establish a balloon festival at the event. He would say, “The infrastructure is already there, and hot air balloons would bring people back to the Fair.” He was right. Fred is no longer with us, but his vision for a Balloon Festival at the fair and his spirit for adventure live on, 25 years later! Today, there are three annual balloon festivals in Warren County. The first festival kicks off June 7-8 at WCCC. The two-day to the Balloon Festival Balloon Festival – celebrates its 87th year. One could say July 2021 was the birth of balloon festivals in Warren County. To celebrate 25 years of the original Hot Air Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Warren County Warren County Farmers’ Fair, the Fair is bringing in a hot air balloon shaped like a big birthday cake to mark the occasion. This special balloon stands 80 feet tall and weighs over 800 pounds! As summer winds down, so do the balloon festivals, with the final one September 20-21. The Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Fun & Games Festival at WCCC brings the larger than life experience to a close. We’ve got a lot to celebrate this year in Warren County, New Jersey. Hope to see you out there with us this year and for years to come! For more information and information on each event, visit balloonfestnj.com. Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival will feature a Chalk Art contest, arts & craft vendors, children’s education, musical entertainment, a car show, and more. A big bash follows on June 28 with the Warren County Bicentennial Celebration. Also held at WCCC, there is no admission fee for attendees to enjoy musical entertainment on two stages, vendors, food trucks, and children’s rides and amusements. Wineries and breweries of the Warren County Warren County Grains & Grapes Trail will supply locally-made beverages, and, of course, there will be balloon launches and tethered rides later in the day. The event is a great representation of what you can see and savor in Warren County year-round. The celebration ends with a bang-literally-with a fireworks display! Then, July 26 through August 2 July 26 through August 2, there will be eight days of fun as the Warren Warren County Farmers’ Fair – the original host COMMUNITY NEWS... Plan for a Year of Celebrations & Hot Air Balloons in Warren County! By Giulia Grotenhuis T
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzA2NDY0