Displaying items by tag: Christian Dutcher
Annual Saratoga Balloon and BBQ Festival
Photos provided.
BALLSTON SPA – The 5th annual Saratoga Balloon and BBQ Festival is back once again at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa. The festival will begin on June 22 and end on June 24. The name of the festival was the Saratoga Balloon and Craft Festival, and is now the Saratoga Balloon and BBQ Festival.
After four successful years, the event organizers realized that they wanted to create a bigger and better event.
“We needed to diversify and add non-balloon related components,” organizer, Tim Cianciola, from Craftproducers, said.
“There’s nothing more appealing than mouth watering barbecue,” Christian Dutcher said, co-organizer of Americade.
“With the barbecue and bacon additions, no one will be disappointed,” he added.
Both organizers agree that by adding barbeque, the festival will have a far greater appeal.
“People love to eat and drink. We will add a craft beer pavilion and serve wine too. With all the abundant great entertainment, our audience can have an enjoyable day,” Cianciola said.
“Let’s not dismiss the balloons; they are worth the price of admission. As they ascend, a parade of skyward-seeking colorful balloons and their passengers leave behind their friends on the ground. Actually, an amazing sight,” Dutcher points out.
Besides the balloons and barbeque, the festival will add a bacon theme. Organizers expect to host a dozen vendors serving bacon in one form or another. With all the emphasis on eating and drinking, there’s still a full slate of options at the Balloon and BBQ Festival. There will be a kids’ zone with games, bounce houses, tethered balloon rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, balloon twisting, a magician, and a walk-about balloon.
For the adults, the marketplace has art, craft, specialty foods, and commercial vendors as well as helicopter rides. The will be live music performances, street performances, and a magician. The Jersey Disc Devils, a team of trained dogs with performance routines will also be in attendance.
The festival opens on Friday at 3 p.m. and closes after the “Balloon Glow” at dusk. Saturday runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. While Sunday’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $10 and child admission $5.
To find out more visit www.balloonandbbq.com
