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The Adirondack Balloon Festival returns this weekend after being canceled last year.
What You Need To Know
- Balloon flights will take place Friday through Sunday
- Balloon launches are highly weather dependent, wind and precipitation
- Parking and admission is free, and make sure you bring some snacks to enjoy
The festival is one of the best fall events in the 518. If you’ve been before, you know it draws massive crowds, and massive traffic headaches but the traffic headaches are worth the colorful sights.
Adirondack Balloon Fest, 2019. (Meteorologist Ryan Finn)
Like everything last year that involved a huge crowd of people in close proximity, the festival was canceled. It returns this year but with a few stipulations.
Adirondack Balloon Festival 2021 rules
- Mask wearing is highly suggested
- No commercial flights will be available to book
- There will be no food or craft show vendors so bringing your own food is encouraged
As you might imagine, launching hot air balloons is highly weather dependent.
Ideal winds to launch are under 5 mph.
If wind speeds exceed 8 to 10 mph, balloons are unlikely to launch.
Balloons will also not fly in the rain.
Thankfully the forecast for launch times the next three days is in pretty good shape.
For more information on the festival check out the official Adirondack Balloon Festival website.
Organizers will typically give weather briefings 30 to 60 minutes before launch on Facebook LIVE which you can watch here.
