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Chester County Press

Chester County Balloon Festival to take flight June 23-25

06/20/2017 02:28PM ● By Richard Gaw
By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

Beginning this Friday evening, the sky over Toughkenamon will be alive with the glow of more than 20 hot air balloons, and remain that way through June 25, as the annual Chester County Balloon Festival returns this year to the New Garden Flying Field.
The festival, now in its 11th year, will feature more than 100 craft and food vendors, and the popular Hops & Grapes Wine and Beer Garden, sponsored by the Victory Brewing Company and Harvest Ridge Winery, will allow visitors to sample craft beer, as well as whites and reds. The area will be open at 4 p.m. on June 23, and at 11 a.m. June 24 and 25.
Visitors will also enjoy fun activities like monster truck rides, zip lining, balloon and helicopter rides,  live music from local bands, a professional kite show – all topped off with after-dark balloon glow flights and a fireworks celebration on June 24.
Proceeds from the festival will be given to the Chester County Hero Fund, which provides necessary financial assistance to the widows, children and families who are left with little or no support when a police officer, deputy sheriff, firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic or state trooper loses his/her life or is seriously injured in the line of duty. The festival will also dedicate additional proceeds to local community groups.
The Chester County Balloon Festival is located at New Garden Flying Field (1235 Newark Rd., Toughkenamon). Admission to the festival is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children under 6. Gates open at 4 p.m. on June 23, at 12:30 p.m. on June 24, and noon on June 25.  Parking at the festival is free. Attendees are advised to have their blankets and chairs in place by 7 p.m. on June 23 and 4:30 p.m. on June 24 to ensure the best seating for the ballooning events.
For more information, visit www.ccballoonfest.com.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].