Warren County, NY (WRGB) — The annual Adirondack Balloon Festival returns to Warren County Sept. 19, with some exciting new features for the 51st year, including a special flavor “Kaleidoscope of Colors” crafted by Stewarts Shops available in Washington, Warren, Saratoga and Rutland County until Sept 29.

Opening ceremonies for the 51st annual festival begin Thursday at Crandall Park with an evening launch and a moonglow.

Friday the activities shift to Warren County Airport for the evening launch of up to 60 Balloons. More than 80 balloons will take to the skies for the Saturday morning launch. This year’s festival will feature a “British invasion” as Sky Safari joins the show with 7 of their special shape animals.

This year’s Moonglow is said to be a :can’t miss event” as the animal shapes dance to music, with up to 40 balloons are expected to glow overall.

We hope to keep the excitement of our 50th anniversary going with 9 shapes this year with some debuting for the first time in the United States,” Mark Donahue, President of the Festival’s Board of Director, said.

A schedule of events is as follows:

Thursday, September 19th CRANDALL PARK – 600 GLEN STREET – GLENS FALLS, NY

• 4:00 – 6:00 PM Opening Musical Performance by Jonathan Newell Band
• 5:00 PM Opening Ceremonies, food vendors and kids activities
• 5:30 – 6:15 PM Flight of up to 15 balloons, special shapes possible
• 7:00 – 9:00 PM Musical Performance by the NY Players
• 7:45 PM (approximate) Balloon Moonglow

Friday, September 20th FLOYD BENNETT MEMORIAL AIRPORT – 443 QUEENSBURY AVE, QUEENSBURY, NY

• 3:00 PM Gates Open to public, Craft Fair hosted by ZONTA with 50+ vendors, kid’s activities and food vendors open for business
• 4:00 pm – 6:00 PM Musical Performance by The E-BLOCK
• 5:00 – 6:15 PM Flight of up to 70 balloons including special shapes

Saturday, September 21st FLOYD BENNETT MEMORIAL AIRPORT – 443 QUEENSBURY AVE, QUEENSBURY, NY

• 5:00 am Food vendors open for business, Craft Fair hosted by ZONTA with 50+ vendors, Kids activities, including bounce houses, crafts and games
• 6:30 – 7:30 AM JK Adams presents the Saturday Morning Flight of up to 80 Balloons, including special shapes
• 2:00 – 4:00 PM Musical performance by the Sam Luke Trio
• 5:00 – 7:00 PM Musical performance by The RaisinBeats
• 5:00 – 6:15 PM Flight of up to 50 Balloons, including special shapes . Other balloons stay for moonglow.
• 7:45 PM “LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT”- AIRPORT MOONGLOW, 30 – 40 balloons including The British Sky Safari special shape animal balloons to showcase an exclusive performance choreographed to music.

Sunday, September 22nd (AM SCHEDULE) FLOYD BENNETT MEMORIAL AIRPORT – 443 QUEENSBURY AVE, QUEENSBURY, NY

• 5:00 AM Food vendors open for business, Craft Fair hosted by ZONTA with 50+ vendors, Kids activities, including bounce houses and more
• 6:30 AM “Walter’s Mass Ascension”, flight of up to 80 Balloons including special shapes
• 10:00AM Gates Close