Annual Balloon Festival is Back!

July 31, 2010

60 minutes from home, Londonderry New HampshireA weekend of sights, sounds and all the colors of the rainbow right in the middle of summer! Even more dramatic since this event is set on the banks of the Suncook River. It is not unusual for the pilots to take a morning dip in the still waters of the river at sunrise. Believe it or not passengers are happy to join them in this morning dunk in the river! Taking off at sunrise, since the air is still at that time, these hot air balloons often drift over the river. Dropping as close as they can to the water, the natural wicker baskets often “go under” for a moment. Clearly a demonstration of the skill these pilots have in controlling the lighter than air aircraft.

Like Old Home Day in Londonderry, this Balloon Festival brings visitors from all over New England to this small town. It is a great event for the entire family plus the local companies and organizations depend on visitors for revenue from this event. The Balloon Festival includes rides, food, hot air balloon rides, helicopter rides around the Pittsfield area, fireworks and of course the launching of the hot air balloons which occurs Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning most years (weather permitting). Wind plays a major factor in deciding if the hot air balloons will be allowed to launch. Even the smallest amount of wind can ground the balloons. Whether to launch the Hot Air Balloons or not is sometimes decided minutes before the scheduled launch of the balloons.

Dates and Times:
Friday – August 6, 2010: 4:00pm – 11:00pm
Saturday – August 7, 2010: 5:30am – 11:00pm
Sunday – August 8, 2010: 5:30am – 10:00am

Location:
Drake Field Pittsfield New Hampshire

Fees:
Entrance: FREE ($5.00 suggested donation)
Parking: FREE
Shuttles between parking lots and field: $1/Person (Each Ride)
Food, Beverages, Carnival Amusements, Helicopter Rides, & Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides all have separate charges.

Rules:
No smoking, no pets (due to food being served). Bags, coolers, backpacks and other containers except for childcare and medical needs are not allowed. No cans, glass, alcohol, skateboards, bikes or weapons are allowed. All bags subject to inspection.

Hot Air Balloon Launch Schedule:
Friday: 5:00 – 6:00 pm Afternoon Hot Air Balloon Liftoff
Saturday: 5:30 – 6:00 am Dawn Hot Air Balloon Liftoff
Saturday: 5:00 – 6:00 pm Afternoon Hot Air Balloon Liftoff
Saturday: 8:30 pm Night Glow (Hot Air Balloons Light Up On Ground, No Launch)
Sunday: 5:30 – 6:00 am Dawn Farewell Mass Ascension Balloon Liftoff

Also this year, a Blues Brothers Tribute Concert featuring Soulhouse 7 will begin at 7 PM Friday evening. Live music will also be played on the main stage beginning at 3 PM Saturday. Kites Over NE Giant Kite Fly will run from 10 AM until 2 PM Saturday. Don’t miss the amazing fireworks show Saturday night!

For a complete schedule, click here. To find out more about the Pittsfield Balloon Rally, visit this website.

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By admin | Posted in Minutes from Home | Tagged , , , , , | Comment (1)

Make a Memory, Host a Child in Londonderry

May 19, 2010

Each year, children from inner-city New York City get a breath of fresh air. Since 1877, the Fresh Air Fund has been giving children, most from low-income communities, the chance to experience country and suburban lifestyles. The children, ages six to eighteen, live with a host family, known as Friendly Town, for up to two weeks each summer. More than 65% of the children get invited back on a yearly basis.

Since its conception, the Fresh Air Fund has given more than 1.7 million children the opportunity to experience more than tall skyscrapers, paved playgrounds, and apartment buildings. Last year, almost 5,000 children participated in the Fresh Air program. They visited 13 Northeastern states, spread from Virginia to New Hampshire, and Maine to Canada.

Not only does it change the lives of the children visiting Friendly Town, the host families also feel a change. One host “mom” said, “It’s so heartwarming to see the joy when she experiences things for the first time – a lightning bug or fireworks. It really makes you pleased to see that you can give that happiness to a child so easily.” Another woman grew up with a Fresh Air Child living with her each summer from the time she was 5, and continued the tradition after having her own children. She’s now been hosting for more than 13 years.

The Fresh Air Fund is looking for Friendly Towns for the 2010 Summer. These host families may range in size, background, and ethnicity. No financial obligations are expected from the families. They’re only required to be willing to open their hearts and homes to children who might otherwise never have a summer vacation.

Now is your chance to show a Fresh Air Child the wonders of Londonderry, and beyond. From raspberry picking at Sunnycrest to the ice cream stand at Mack’s; from the trails and streams of Musquash to the Summer Concerts on the Common; from the hot air balloon festivals of New Hampshire to the beaches of Hampton,you can make memories a child will never forget. To find out how you can share the beauty of your town, call 1-800-367-0003. Visit the Fresh Air Fund’s website to read Testimonials, Inquire About Hosting, or just Learn More.

Below is a video titled “Two Weeks” explaining how the two weeks the children spend with their host families significantly changes their lives.

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By Jacklynn Weeks | Posted in Around Town, Youth 10 to 18, Youth 6 to 10 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Pittsfield Hot Air Balloon Rally and Festival

July 31, 2009

60 minutes from home, Londonderry New HampshireA weekend of sights, sounds and all the colors of the rainbow right in the middle of summer! Even more dramatic since this event is set on the banks of the . It is not unusual for the pilots to take a morning dip in the still waters of the river at sunrise. Believe it or not passengers are happy to join them in this morning dunk in the river! Taking off at sunrise since the air is still at that time these hot air balloons often drift over the river. Dropping as close as they can to the water the natural wicker baskets often “go under” for a moment. Clearly a demonstration of the skill these pilots have in controlling the lighter than air aircraft.

Pittsfield balloon Rally on the Suncook river

Like Old Home Day in Londonderry this Balloon Festival brings visitors from all over New England to this small town. It is a great event for the entire family plus the local companies and organizations depend on visitors for revenue from this event. The Balloon Festival includes rides, food, hot air balloon rides, helicopter rides around the Pittsfield area, fireworks and of course the launching of the hot air balloons which occurs Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning most years (weather permitting). Wind plays a major factor in deciding if the hot air balloons will be allowed to launch. Even the smallest amount of wind can ground the balloons. Whether to launch the Hot Air Balloons or not is sometimes decided minutes before the scheduled launch of the balloons.

Dates & Times
Friday, July 31st – 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Saturday, August 1st – 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Sunday, August 2nd – 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM

Location:
Drake Field Pittsfield New Hampshire

Fees:
Entrance: FREE
Parking: FREE
Shuttles between parking lots and field: $1/Person (Each Ride)
Food, Beverages, Carnival Amusements, Helicopter Rides, & Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides all have separate charges.

Rules:
No Smoking, No Pets (due to food being served). Bags, coolers, backpacks and other containers except for childcare and medical needs are not allowed. No: cans, glass, alcohol, skateboards, bikes or weapons. are allowed. All bags subject to inspection.

Hot Air Balloon Launch Schedule:
Friday July 31: 5:00 – 6:00 pm Afternoon Hot Air Balloon Liftoff
Saturday August 1: 5:30 – 6:00 am Dawn Hot Air Balloon Liftoff
Saturday August 1: 5:00 – 6:00 pm Afternoon Hot Air Balloon Liftoff
Saturday August 1: 8:30 pm Night Glow (Hot Air Balloons Light Up On Ground, No Launch)
Sunday August 2: 5:30 – 6:00 am Dawn Farewell Mass Ascension Balloon Liftoff

Fireworks:
Saturday August 1: 9:30pm

Live Entertainment is available Friday starting at 5pm and Saturday at 3pm at Drake Field.

This is a Pittsfield Rotary event, Visit the Pittsfield Rotary Hot Air Balloon Rally 2009 website, this is the 28th annual event and is the largest fund-raiser they have. All proceeds donated to local and international humanitarian projects.

The image in this story is from working at the event in the 1990′s it is a photographers paradise especially if you enjoy the early mornings. Hot air balloons are more likely to operate in the mornings when the air is still. Evening lift offs are scheduled and most often happen. On Saturday night even if they do not fly, you will not be disappointed. The incredible Night Glow where pilots adjust the burners to get maximum light and fire them up with the balloons tethers is a show you will never forget!

Like to view images of New England Balloon Festivals we have shot over the years? Visit the “Hot Air Balloon Gallery” in our Londonderry Hometown Online News darkroom.

Also, you should know as one little boy now does that asked us, “Where is the Balloon terminal located and when do the arrive?” Balloon’s almost always fly out and are then picked up by a chase team. There is no “Balloon Terminal” at one of these festivals. Except once at this rally, the winds were just right and the pilots were able to navigate and return to the same field they took off from.

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By admin | Posted in Minutes from Home | Tagged , , | Comments (0)