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The New Jersey Festival of Balloons

One of the long standing traditions in New Jersey is the annual New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, held at Solberg Airport in Readington. I was privileged to attend one day of this three day event and got these pictures during an early morning visit, including a 30 minute flight, and again in the afternoon.

My balloon ride was hosted by Mr. Tony Sica, a licensed balloon pilot for over ten years. Tony heads High 5 Ballooning in Derry, New Hampshire. Visit his website at www.high5ballooning.com and see what thrills and fun you can have for a reasonable fee complements of a hot air balloon (including the ballooner's traditional champaigne toast at the conclusion of the flight).

If you ever decide you want one of your own, the balloon itself costs around $30,000. Then there is the basket, burner, propane, chase vehicle and trailer, miscellaneous needed equipment (like the fan to blow it up initially), crew to hire for launch and chase, insurance and, of course, the time and money to become a licensed pilot. I was told there about 3000 licensed balloon pilots in the US. For me, I'll call Tony and his very competent crew (his son is learning to be a commercial-grade balloon pilot, following in Dad's footsteps), go to wherever they are, and climb aboard. It is a wonderful experience, not to be missed.

Enjoy yourself as we go ballooning in the skies over New Jersey.
The Dawning of the Day
The Dawning of the Day		 Gear Out, Balloons Getting Ready
Gear Out, Balloons Getting Ready		 A Large Fan Is Used to Start the Inflation, ...
A Large Fan Is Used to Start the Inflation, ...		 ... Followed by a Healthy Dose of Burner.
... Followed by a Healthy Dose of "Burner."		 As the Air Is Heated, the Balloon Begins to Rise ...
As the Air Is Heated, the Balloon Begins to Rise ...
... Until Finally the Balloon & Basket Are Upright.
... Until Finally the Balloon & Basket Are Upright.		 Close Quarters Are the Order of the Day, ...
Close Quarters Are the Order of the Day, ...		 ... But Everyone Gets Airborne Swiftly and Safely
... But Everyone Gets Airborne Swiftly and Safely		 During the Inflation Step, Our Balloon Smiles a Promise of a Fun Flight
During the Inflation Step, Our Balloon Smiles a Promise of a Fun Flight		 Upright and ready to go, ...
Upright and ready to go, ...
... The Crew Gives High 5s All Around.
... The Crew Gives "High 5s" All Around.		 Holding Us Steady, the Burners Are Ignited ...
Holding Us Steady, the Burners Are Ignited ...		 ... And Our Assent Begins.
... And Our Assent Begins.		 Higher and Higher ...
Higher and Higher ...		 ... We Rise ...
... We Rise ...
...Silently, Smoothly, and Seemingly Without Effort.
...Silently, Smoothly, and Seemingly Without Effort.		 Looking Back We See those Who Will Follow.
Looking Back We See those Who Will Follow.		 Solberg Airport Drifts Away Behind Us.
Solberg Airport Drifts Away Behind Us.		 It's a Different World in A Balloon ...
It's a Different World in A Balloon ...		 ... Nothing Quite Like It ...
... Nothing Quite Like It ...
... As One Drifts on the Currents ...
... As One Drifts on the Currents ...		 ... Over Tree Tops ...
... Over Tree Tops ...		 ... And Yards.
... And Yards.		 A Few More Pictures Are Always in Order.
A Few More Pictures Are Always in Order.		 As We Approach Our Landing Site, Sadly It's Over.
As We Approach Our Landing Site, Sadly It's Over.
Balloons, the Beauty ...
Balloons, the Beauty ...		 ... And the Usunual Mix On a Hot July Day.
... And the Usunual Mix On a Hot July Day.		 The Evening Flights Promise a Spectacular Show.
The Evening Flights Promise a Spectacular Show.		 And, They're Off!
And, "They're Off!"		 Soaring, ...
Soaring, ...
... Climbing, ...
... Climbing, ...		 ... Drfiting, ...
... Drfiting, ...		 ... Dodging, ...
... Dodging, ...		 ... And Enjoying.
... And Enjoying.		 Each Balloon is a Canvas for Art and Advertisement.
Each Balloon is a Canvas for Art and Advertisement.
Some Don't Even Look Like Balloons, ...
Some Don't Even Look Like Balloons, ...		 ... Others Do, But They Don't.
... Others Do, But They Don't.		 Most Are Traditional in Shape, ...
Most Are Traditional in Shape, ...		 ... But Unique in Color, Pattern & Design.
... But Unique in Color, Pattern & Design.		 And the NJ/FOB Closes With a Smile.
And the NJ/FOB Closes With a Smile.

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