Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival Community Fair, and Summer Carnival
Every summer, families and balloon lovers gather in Norton Park for one of Connecticut’s most beloved events—the Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival. Much like the famous Barnesville Pumpkin Festival, this celebration draws massive crowds and provides a unique blend of community spirit, visual delight, and summertime fun.
The Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival fills with color, wonder, and soaring excitement each August. This beloved community tradition blends breathtaking balloon displays with family-friendly fun and hometown pride.
What Type of Festival It Is?
The Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival is a community-based celebration that combines a spectacular hot air balloon showcase with the charm of a summer carnival. It features balloon launches, evening glows, fireworks, local food vendors, craft booths, and entertainment, creating a lively and inclusive experience for all ages.
Who Organizes the Festival?
The Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival is organized by the Plainville Fire Company, a volunteer-based local department. With support from the Town of Plainville, they handle everything from balloon coordination to safety and logistics, ensuring a smooth, community-driven event each year.
Festival Location
The Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival is held in Norton Park, located in the heart of Plainville, Connecticut. This spacious public park is ideal for hosting large crowds and spectacular balloon launches. The lush greenery, open skies, and scenic trails make it the perfect backdrop for hundreds of hot air balloons filling the horizon.
Getting to Norton Park is easy. It’s accessible via major Connecticut highways and is just a short drive from Hartford or New Haven. Parking is available off-site for a small fee, and shuttle buses are provided to transport guests directly to the festival grounds.
Who Is Holding This Festival?
The festival is organized annually by the Plainville Fire Company, a local volunteer-based department with a rich history in community service. Unlike corporate-run events, this festival has deep roots in the town itself. It’s a community-run affair where volunteers manage logistics, crowd control, and even balloon coordination.
The fire company collaborates with balloon pilots, vendors, and local artists to ensure a seamless and safe experience. Their passion is evident in how well the festival is executed year after year, much like the dedication seen at the Palisades Colorado Peach Festival, which also thrives on strong community involvement.
Motive Behind This Festival
The primary goal of this Festival is to raise funds for the Plainville Fire Company and support their emergency services. In addition to fundraising, the festival promotes town pride and offers an affordable, magical event for families.
It also creates an opportunity for local businesses and artisans to showcase their work. Craft booths, food trucks, and nonprofit stalls provide a mini-economy that thrives on festival days. This mission of community building through celebration is what sets it apart from generic summer events.
Where to Buy Tickets for the Festival?
One of the most appealing aspects of the Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival is that admission is completely free. Yes, you read that right. You don’t need a ticket to attend the festival.
However, some parts of the festival—like parking, carnival rides, and food stalls—require payment. Parking typically costs $5 and is located off-site with free shuttle service to Norton Park. Balloon rides are not officially sold, but some pilots may offer tethered experiences on-site, weather permitting.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Admission Fee | Free |
| Parking | $5 (cash only) |
| Balloon Rides | Limited, not guaranteed |
| Tickets for Rides/Games | Purchased at carnival booths |
| Shuttle Service | Included with parkin |
Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival 2025 Dates and Schedule
| Date | Activity | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, August 22, 2025 | Festival Opens | 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| CT Firefighters Pipes & Drums | 6:00 PM | |
| Balloon Glow (tethered inflations) | Evening | |
| Fireworks Display | Around 9:15 PM | |
| Saturday, August 23, 2025 | Morning Balloon Launch | 6:00 AM |
| Evening Balloon Launch | 6:00 PM | |
| Festival Continues | Until 10:00 PM |
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a community-driven, family-friendly event that lights up the sky—literally—then the Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival is the place to be. It’s not just a local tradition but an experience that stays with you for years.
From its humble community roots to its breathtaking visual displays, this festival is more than just balloons—it’s about unity, celebration, and magic in the skies. Whether you’re a photographer, a parent, or just someone who enjoys a good summer festival, don’t miss out on Plainville this August.
