Flying in a hot-air balloon was on Garry Guertin’s bucket list. So his wife bought him a ride at the Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival for his birthday in 2001. It changed his life.
“You get a different viewpoint in a hot-air balloon. People will fly in planes but they don’t get the chance to look at the scenery because they go so fast or are so high up they can’t see anything,” says Guertin, who lives in Southington.
“The scenery continues to change very slowly and peacefully. It’s great for all the different seasons. It’s interesting to see the layout of the land.”
Guertin joined the crew of a hot-air balloon and eventually got his own license. He is now a private pilot, who participates each year in the Plainville Fire Company’s Hot Air Balloon Festival, which returns to Plainville’s Norton Park Aug. 23 to 25.
Live music, a balloon glow and fireworks kicks off the free festival on Friday evening. Other highlights of the weekend: three balloon launches, more music, a car show, hundreds of craft vendors, and food booths and trucks, and private balloon rides. Expect a crowd.
Guertin is one of about 20 hot-air balloonists expected to attend the event. As a private pilot, he does not take passengers, but some of the pilots work commercially and will give rides.
The websites of the commercial pilots list rates ranging from $250 to $350 per person for a flight. Customers should inquire at the time of booking if there is an up-charge on the day of the festival.
The time in the air ranges from 45 to 75 minutes, but fliers should plan on three hours to figure in preparation, a safety tutorial and follow-up. Weather conditions determine how far the balloon travels. Registering in advance is suggested, but if there is room pilots will take customers on-site. A list of companies providing rides is at ctlighterthanair.org.
“Flying in a balloon is something everybody needs to try,” Guertin says.
Following is a schedule breakdown of the 3-day festival.
FRIDAY
Hours are 6 to 10 p.m., when the band Blameless Project will perform, followed by Nashville Drive. At dusk, there will be a balloon glow, when all the balloons are filled with gas and lit up. The balloons are then deflated and put away in time for the fireworks at around 9 p.m. (The fireworks will be moved to Saturday in the case of inclement weather.)
Saturday
Saturday’s balloon launch is at 6 a.m., then balloons will be put away until the second launch at 6 p.m. (Balloon launches vary in length depending on the weather.) The festival hours 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The music schedule is:
Shot Down performs from noon to 2 p.m.
Greg Mattsen from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Curl Daddies from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Sick Since Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Saturday also features a car show. All cars are welcome. Registration is $10 at the park entrance. The first 100 cars get a dash plaque. Trophies will be awarded at 4 p.m. Proceeds from the car show and vendor fees are donated to scholarship funds and youth sports programs.
Sunday
The festival ends with a launch at 6 a.m.
More details
When and where: The Plainville Fire Company’s 35th annual Hot Air Balloon Festival is at Norton Park on Route 177 Aug. 23 to 25.
Parking: During the 6 a.m. launches, spectators may park at Norton Park, but they must remove their cars afterwards. During the festival hours, visitors can park at the high school or at Robertson Airport. Free shuttles will run from 4 a.m. to closing on Friday and 9 a.m. to closing on Saturday.
Weather: The event is weather-dependent and there is no rain date. Check Facebook for weather cancellations.
Misc: The event is free. Pets are discouraged. More information: plainvillefireco.com.
Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
