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Quechee Balloon Festival among five spectacular balloon festivals in U.S.

QUECHEE, Vt. — The Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival, the longest running hot air balloon festival in New England, has been named one of Five Spectacular Balloon Festivals in the U.S., according to Visit the USA.com, the official travel site of the USA, recently announced.

The Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival joins an impressive list of festivals that have been running for decades all over the nation, from Alabama to California, including the famed Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque in New Mexico.

“Travelers worldwide flock to the United States to explore its dramatic landscapes,” writes Zach Everson, a national travel/freelance writer for the Visit the USA.com site. “Vast deserts, thick forests, rolling fields, deep canyons and rugged coastlines lure adventurous visitors. Add a hot air balloon to the scenery, as they do at each of these five festivals, and the views get even better — especially for the riders.”

Quechee joins an impressive list of hot air balloon festivals, including:

U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great BalloonFest in Louisville, Kentucky

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic in Windsor, California

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley, Alabama

Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival in Quechee, Vermont

“There’s no question the Quechee Balloon Festival is a great boost to local businesses and has helped to put Quechee, the Upper Valley and frankly the state of Vermont on the map,” said P.J. Skehan, executive director of the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce, who hosts and manages the annual event. “This recognition is a tribute to the thousands of volunteers, vendors, sponsors and patrons who support our event every year which celebrates 40 years this June. We’re geared up to make this year’s milestone event the best ever.”

According to Skehan, planning is off to a great start. Area businesses have stepped up as sponsors, vendors are on board and more than 120 balloon rides have already been reserved for the event, which is the chamber’s largest fundraiser of the year, benefitting the community and its annual scholarship to area students.

The 40th Annual Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival is Father’s Day Weekend, June 14, 15, 16. It features up to 20 hot air balloons with five flights scheduled throughout the weekend and additional tethered rides during the day, attendees can enjoy continuous music and entertainment for all ages, and more than 60 craft artisans and commercial vendors. Children’s activities include Euro bungee, a rock climbing wall, bounce house and more. And a variety of festival favorites and new food offerings with local healthy options and a beer, spirit and wine garden are planned.

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