Hot-air balloons will glow after dusk at the festival.
COATESVILLE – When it comes to family entertainment, the sky’s expected to be the limit at the Sixth Annual Chester County Balloon Festival.
This year’s neon-colored event will feature more than 20 balloons on June 15 and 16 at the Embreeville complex on Route 162. General admission is $5 per car and includes parking on fields. Paved, handicapped parking is available, but visitors are urged to allow extra time since some travel on grassy areas unfriendly to wheelchairs may be needed to get to the festival area. Proceeds benefit the West Bradford Youth Athletics organization.
Organizers suggest bringing lawn chairs or blankets, sunscreen, sunglasses and comfortable shoes for walking. Coolers and pets are not permitted. The event will include food and craft vendors, musical entertainment and children’s activities. Some offerings, which typically sell out, such as the Friday Night Glow Party or the one-hour, hot-air balloon rides, cost extra and must be purchased in advance.
The Friday night Glow Party costs $45 per person and includes VIP seating and parking, catered buffet, live entertainment and access to the Victory Brew Pub while viewing a breath-taking display of balloons illuminated against the evening sky. Balloon rides, which offer a bird’s eye view of Chester County, cost $200 per person.
The gates will open at 6 p.m. on June 15 and 3 p.m. on June 16. Early arrival will ensure not missing any of the ballooning events, which are weather-dependent. The balloons, which usually fly from treetop height to 3,000 feet above the ground, need stable winds to operate efficiently. The hours following sunrise and two hours before sunset are generally best for those conditions. For more information or to purchase advance tickets, visit http://ccballoonfest.com. or call 610-873-4002.
