Oswego County will be holding its first balloon festival June 6-8 at the Oswego County Fairgrounds in Sandy Creek, New York, USA.<\/p>\n
The event, organized by All Over Events of Pulaski, will feature more than 10 hot air balloons, live music, local craft and food vendors, and activities for kids.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just thought we needed a little more to do in Oswego County, and the balloons are beautiful,\u201d said festival coordinator Melissa Stevens of All Over Events. \u201cThey always have the one in Syracuse, so I thought we should have one up here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stevens was a craft vendor at the 2013 Jamesville Balloonfest, near Syracuse, and began researching the possibilities of a festival for Oswego County. She chose the fairgrounds in Sandy Creek for its availability and its aesthetic appeal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful piece of property,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Scott and Peter Griswold of Above All Balloon Rides of Syracuse will provide balloon rides. Call Peter Griswold at 263-6124 to schedule a balloon ride in advance.<\/p>\n
The Griswolds helped found the Jamesville Balloonfest.<\/p>\n
Stevens said booking the bands was the \u201ceasiest part of planning the whole thing.\u201d Among the 14-artist lineup is Chris Taylor and the Custom Taylor Band of Syracuse, the Fulton Chain Gang of Old Forge, and Frostbit Blue of Oswego.<\/p>\n
All Over Events is teaming up with several local organizations for the Balloon Fest. Local sponsors include Tunes 92, Port City Blue Print, Zink Shirts and Wolf Radio. A portion of the Balloon Fest\u2019s proceeds will benefit Music for the Mission of Syracuse.<\/p>\n
Media sponsor CNY Central is running commercials on channels 3, 5 and 6.<\/p>\n
A Facebook page for the Balloon Fest has gained nearly 1,500 likes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe response so far has been really good,\u201d Stevens said. \u201cWe\u2019re selling tickets in Syracuse and Liverpool, and I didn\u2019t think we would.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stevens said she is hoping for 3,000 people to attend the balloon fest. The<\/p>\n
emergency management team is prepared for up to 6,000.<\/p>\n
With most of the details in place, the only thing left to do is watch the forecast.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no \u2018plan B\u2019 for hot air balloons. If the weather isn\u2019t good, they can\u2019t launch,\u201d Stevens said. \u201cI\u2019ve been watching the weather for two weeks now \u2026 The majority of the time, it looks really good.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Oswego County Balloon Fest takes place June 6, 7 and 8 at the Oswego County Fairgrounds on Ellisburg Street in Sandy Creek.<\/p>\n
Come watch the balloons launch from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and 5:45 to 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday mornings.<\/p>\n
Balloon glows will begin at 8:30 Friday and Saturday nights.<\/p>\n
Presale tickets to the Balloon Fest are available for $8. The ticket price at the gate will be $10. Children 10 and under get in for free.<\/p>\n