Balloons Over Sussex festival slated Sept. 14-15

The Sussex Academy Foundation is bringing a hot-air balloon festival back to Sussex County.

Balloons Over Sussex will be held from 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, and 2 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 15, at Delaware Coastal Airport, Georgetown. There will be 16 colorful hot-air balloons on site during the event.

A mass ascension of balloons is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. A 20-minute balloon glow is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Saturday. While the festival will be closed, a balloon ride is scheduled for 6:45 a.m., Sunday. Sussex County residents are encouraged to look skyward to see a colorful visual spectacle during these times.

Admission is $10 per person collected at the gate; children under 10 are admitted free. Cash or charge will be accepted. Free parking is available in the Delaware Coastal Business Park. No parking is available for buses, trailers or campers.

Tethered balloon rides will be available both days at a cost of $20 per adult and $10 for children under 12. Cash payment will be accepted directly by the balloonist; preregistration is not required. Tethered balloons go up 60 to 80 feet. Limited hot-air balloon rides may be scheduled online for Saturday evening, Sunday morning and Sunday evening; ride cost is $240 per person. A balloon walkabout will be open at a cost of $3 per person. Cash payment will be accepted directly by the balloonist; preregistration is not required.

Entertainment is scheduled throughout both days. Activities for kids include face painting, games and airbrush tattoos. A variety of crafters and artisans will also be in attendance. Food trucks on site will include Taco Reho, Mojos to Go, Rita’s Rehoboth, Amy Cool’s Ice Cream, Bubba Bob’s Country Treats, London Court Beverage Company and Milton Lions Club.

The Sussex Academy Technology Science Association will offer build-your-own tissue paper hot-air balloon activity, and participants can see them fly.

For more information for interested sponsors and artisans, contact Gina Derrickson at gina.derrickson@saas.k12.de.us.

The original Milton Balloon Festival was started by Dr. Charles Wagner in 1990 and ran for 13 years. 

All events are subject to weather. To register for balloon rides and for information in case of inclement weather, go to www.balloonsoversussex.com.