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Quechee Balloon Festival
The Annual Quechee Balloon Festival & Craft Fair
Father's Day Weekend in Quechee, VT
June 13 - 15, 2008
Quechee, Vermont (pronounced kwee-chee), home of the renowned Quechee Gorge, is the quintessential picturesque New England village. The Ottauquechee River cascades over a spectacular waterfall alongside Main Street, which meanders past beautifully unique storefronts and restaurants to the festival site on the expansive Village Green.
Every Father's Day weekend, Quechee becomes a mecca for amateur and professional crafters, musicians, and photographers, as the Annual Quechee Balloon Festival & Craft Fair attracts dozens of balloonists and their brilliantly-colored hot-air balloons to this quaint central Vermont village.
The Quechee Balloon Festival is a family-oriented event with something of interest for all ages. This Annual Father's Day weekend extravaganza has become a family gathering place for reunions, wedding receptions, birthday parties, and anniversary celebrations.
GATES, PARKING, ADMISSION, & FLIGHTS:
The Quechee Village Green is located in the center of the Village just off Main Street. Gates are open on Friday from 3:00 PM and the first scheduled balloon flight is to leave at 6:00 PM. Additional flights on Saturday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 6:00 AM to 6:00PM. Sorry, pets are not permitted on the festival or fairgrounds.
All balloon flights are subject to weather conditions. Balloon rides may be reserved by calling the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce.
CRAFT FAIR, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES, & ENTERTAINMENT:
A major attraction at the festival is the craft fair, where over sixty artisans market their handiwork. Crafts on display include jewelry and woodwork creations, stained glass items, original paintings and photographs, music CDs and cassettes, new and antique quilts, specialty foods, handmade clothing, ceramics, dried flower and herb arrangements, and much, much more.
Children's activities include giant inflatable amusements; a tent-full of activities like face painting, arts'n crafts, and games; kite flying; vendors of make-your-own colored sand creations; clowns, puppet shows, and juggling workshops; and many other sports and entertainment venues that combine to provide a true family outing.
Boys and Girls, Moms and Dads... awed by the
brilliantly colored balloons floating overhead.
Entertainment includes a variety of live music such as rhythm & blues, jazz, 60's tunes, jump swing, a fiddlers' competition, an antique and classic car show, and special appearances by singers and songwriters. Other entertainment includes clowns, mimes, jugglers, puppeteers, unicyclists, vaudeville acts, and dancers.
Other annual Father's Day weekend in-town events include the renowned Community Church rummage sale and the Quechee Library book sale.
Every kind of food imaginable is available from dusk to dawn on the craft fair promenade. Menu selections include country breakfasts, barbecued chicken, ribs, turkey legs, burgers, dogs, and the ever-popular Italian sausages, sandwiches and subs, fried dough, ice cream, fresh fruit drinks, sodas, coffees and all the fixins. A small store is also located on the promenade that offers a limited supply of basic necessities like film, candy bars, Rolaids, cold drinks, and other 'country store' items.
QUECHEE AREA LODGING & DINING:
The Quality Inn at Quechee Gorge, Rt. 4, Quechee, VT 05059 Phone: 800-732-4376. A full service hotel and conference center with on premises restaurant, banquet, and business function facilities. Visit www.qualityinnquechee.com, or for complete information e-mail.
For additional photographs of the Quechee Balloon Festival,  click here .
An excellent selection of area lodging and dining venues is available. For more information, check out our Central Vermont listings for hotels, motels, vacation rentals, and inn accommodations. Many lodging properties offer an in-house restaurant or dining room. The Balloon Festival attracts thousands of visitors, so be sure to make advance lodging reservations from a Vermont Living recommended lodging facility.
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