The month of July offers an amazing array of choices for the recreational resident or thrill-seeking tourist. From mountain to beach to ballpark to state park, there is just too much to do with the limited amount of vacation time we get. But let’s face it. There are some things you can do anytime. Wanna hit the Shore? It’s there every day, rain or shine. There are exciting minor league baseball games being played at any given time from Atlantic City to Trenton, the amusement parks and rides are always running. But there is one three-day weekend you need to set aside because what happens then only comes once a year. So without further ado, here are the Top Ten reasons why you should visit the 31th Annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning (with apologies to David Letterman):
10. Darth Vader’s head is a balloon. Well, not really his head, just his helmet. We all know his real head bares a striking resemblance to a certain ex-vice-president.
9. Red Bull Air Force Skydive and Wingsuit Demonstration. So does the Red Bull make them want to jump out of the plane quicker or do they just fly really really fast? Wingsuit or wingnut? Either way, they are phenomenal.
8. Running with the Balloons. OK, it’s not exactly Dances with Wolves or Keeping Up with the Kardashians, but a 5K race and fun run in this setting might just make you want to run faster (see Red Bull, above).
7. Funnel Cake.
6. Saturday Night Balloon Glow. I’m pretty sure by Saturday night some revelers might have a pretty good glow on themselves.
5. Neither Kim Kardashian or Kanye West will be there.
4. The History of Ballooning. The very first flight took place in France in 1783 and was witnessed by Ben Franklin (and rumored Larry King), and carried a
rooster, a duck and a sheep. No animals were harmed in the making of this flight.
3. Money. The nation’s largest summertime outdoor balloon and music festival attracts over 150,000 people each year and pumps $42.7 million into state and local economies. Or about what the Clinton’s make in a week.
2. Governor Christie jokes.
And the number 1 reason to check out the Festival of Ballooning…
1. It’s the only time being full of hot air is a good thing.
For the facts and the fun visit the official festival website:
