A Photographer’s Love for the Adirondack Balloon Festival
Floating Color Over the Adirondacks:
A Photographer’s Love for the Adirondack Balloon Festival
One of my favorite annual events to photograph — and to simply experience — is the Adirondack Balloon Festival. Every year, this incredible celebration of color, flight, and community takes place at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport, with events running from Thursday through Sunday.
Although the festival often schedules an opening-day launch at Crandall Park, I’ve never attended that one. My heart — and my camera — always bring me back to the airport launches, where the wide-open space and sheer number of balloons create unforgettable photographic opportunities.
🎈 What to Expect at the Festival
The general schedule typically looks like this (weather permitting):
-
Thursday: Evening launch
-
Friday: Morning & evening launches
-
Saturday: Morning & evening launches
-
Sunday: Morning launch
Of course, hot air balloons are completely dependent on the weather. Launches can’t happen in heavy rain or strong winds — in fact, winds usually need to stay below 6–7 mph for safe flight. That unpredictability is part of the excitement. You truly never know what you’re going to get when you arrive.
Some years offer crystal-clear skies and dozens of balloons lifting off together. Other times, conditions change quickly and plans shift. As a photographer, that uncertainty keeps things exciting — and keeps me coming back year after year.
🌈 Up Close Before Liftoff
One of my favorite parts of the festival happens before the balloons ever leave the ground. I love walking around as the crews lay out the balloons, inflate them, and prepare the baskets for flight. Watching the balloons slowly take shape — rising from colorful fabric puddles into towering works of art — is magical.
This setup phase offers incredible opportunities for photography:
-
Close-up details of fabric and burners
-
Pilots and crews working together
-
Balloons partially inflated against the morning or evening sky
I enjoy photographing both individual balloons and wide scenes filled with color. Every launch feels different, depending on the light, clouds, and which balloons are flying that day.
🎭 Special Shapes & Moon Glow Magic
Each year, the festival hosts 80–100 balloons, including some truly fun and whimsical special shapes. Over the years, I’ve seen:
-
A panda bear
-
The sun
-
A bunny
-
A penguin
-
And many more
Every balloon has its own personality, color palette, and theme — they’re endlessly fun to photograph.
One of the most impressive events is the Moon Glow. On this special evening, some balloons launch while others stay tethered on the field. As darkness falls, the announcer introduces each balloon, the pilot, and where they’re from — often from all over the U.S. and sometimes even Canada.
Then the show begins. The pilots ignite their burners in synchronized bursts, lighting up the balloons like giant glowing lanterns. It’s dramatic, beautiful, and absolutely unforgettable.
🔥 A Few Hot Air Balloon Facts
-
Hot air balloons fly because hot air is lighter than cold air, allowing the balloon to rise.
-
Pilots control altitude by adjusting the burner, but steering depends on wind direction at different heights.
-
Calm air is essential — which is why launches usually happen early morning or near sunset.
-
Balloon envelopes can reach over 100 feet tall and hold tens of thousands of cubic feet of air.
📸 My Photography Gear for the Festival
I always bring two camera bodies and two lenses so I can quickly switch perspectives without changing lenses in the field.
-
Wide Angle:
I use a 24–105mm lens (any wide-angle works great) for capturing groups of balloons, launch scenes, and dramatic skies. -
Zoom Telephoto:
I typically use a 100–400mm zoom to isolate individual balloons, capture details, or photograph balloons floating farther away.
Having both setups allows me to create a diverse set of images — wide, environmental shots and tight, graphic compositions.
👕 What to Wear & What to Bring
Dressing appropriately makes a big difference:
-
Mornings: Cooler at first, warming quickly — layers are key
-
Evenings: Warm early, cooler after sunset — layers again
-
Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes that can handle wet grass, especially in the morning
Helpful extras:
-
Chairs or a blanket if you prefer sitting over walking
-
Hand sanitizer (water at handwashing stations can run out)
🚗 Arrive Early — Trust Me
Traffic can be unpredictable. I’ve parked in 10 minutes some years and waited nearly an hour other times. Arriving early not only saves stress but gives you more time to explore, scout angles, and enjoy the setup.
👨👩👧👦 A Perfect Family-Friendly Event
The Adirondack Balloon Festival is a fantastic family event. There are activities for kids, food vendors, and souvenir stands to enjoy while waiting for launches.
One important note:
🐾 This is not a dog-friendly event. Between crowds, burners, and loud noises, it’s best to leave your pups safely at home.
❤️ Why I Keep Coming Back
No two years are ever the same. Weather, light, balloon selection, and timing all change — and that’s what makes the Adirondack Balloon Festival such a joy to photograph.
Whether I’m capturing a single balloon glowing against the sky or a field filled with color and anticipation, this event never fails to inspire me.
If you’ve never been, I highly recommend adding it to your calendar — whether as a photographer, a spectator, or both.
