welcome

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Join Us!

Join us for Atlantic Canada's most colourful festival held in Sussex, New Brunswick, every September on the weekend following Labour Day.  Up to 30 hot air balloons fly twice daily (weather permitting), outdoor bandstand, huge indoor market, amusement rides, vendors and so much more! This year we lift off September 6th to 8th! Weather permitting.

 

THANK YOU


The volunteer committee would like to extend our thanks to everyone who made our 34th annual Atlantic Balloon Fiesta a sucess. Despite an unfotunate visit on Saturday from Post-tropical storm Dorian, we had a great weekend! Special thanks to all of our local landowners, the businesses who sponsor our event, our pilots who travel from far and wide and ALL of our hundreds of volunteers who make our event possible. We are exceptionally grateful to the the people of Sussex who are so welcoming to our guests We are looking forward to a little bit of rest but are already excited for the big 35th annual next year in 2020. As you know, we are " Always the weekend after Labour Day!" Dates for next year are September 11-13, 2020

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News & Updates

SUNDAY IS A GO!

Car Show & Shine Registration 8:00am Open 9:00 to 3:00pm ( Moved to PLP Horse Barns Show Centre)

Information Booth Open 9:00am

Indoor Market Open 9:00am to 5:00pm

Bandstand beginning 10:30am

Outdoor Vendors Opening 11:00am

Amusement Rides Opening 12:00pm

JT Petting Zoo 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Sussex Tailwaggers K9 Performance Team 2:00pm ( Beside the Launch Field)

Evening Flight 5:30pm ( Weather & conditions permitting)

RAIN OR SHINE

We are receiving tonnes of messages and calls worried about the POSSIBLE impending weather for this weekend.
Our event as a whole (Bandstand, Vendors, Amusement Rides, Indoor Market etc.) is a RAIN OR SHINE EVENT AND CANNOT BE RESCHEDULED. At this time we still have balloon flights scheduled all weekend long! Pilots meet before each scheduled flight time to discuss current weather conditions and other factors to determine then, and only then, if they are able to fly. We will definitely keep you all posted if anything changes but as of right now WE ARE DEFINITELY STILL A GO FOR A FULL WEEKEND OF FUN IN SUSSEX!




POLICIES 

Please note that there is a NO DOGS policy on our grounds during the fiesta. As we are an extremely crowded event with a lot of noise, we ask that you leave all dogs at home where they will be most comfortable. DO NOT leave dogs in vehicles. *Service animals are welcome. 

 

We have a NO DRONES policy for our fiesta as per Transport Canada regulations. Festival area is a CLOSED AIRSPACE for the duration of the Fiesta.

 

Thank you for your understanding as the safety of our balloons and spectators is our number one priority! 

 

Follow Our Instagram @atlanticballoonfiesta

Huge thank you to all of the 2019 Atlantic Balloon Fiesta pilots! Were you lucky enough to go up with one? Let us know how awesome they were! **Not all pilots pictured**
Looking for something to do? Starting at 2pm The Tail Waggers will be performing beside the launch field!
Updated Schedule for Sunday. We're up and running!
Although we do have some cancellations today from the weather, the INDOOR MARKET is ON with lots of amazing vendors! See you at 9 AM!
Come visit the information booth to get your Atlantic Balloon Fiesta merchandise and schedules!
Frequently Asked Question #12 HOW DO YOU GET THE BALLOON BACK? With the help of the flight crew who drive a van or pickup truck. This flight crew follows the flight of the balloon (as well as existing roads allow) and is on hand to recover the balloon when it touches down. For each balloon in the sky, it takes a dedicated ground crew of three to four people to make the flight a success.
Frequently Asked Question #11 WHAT KIND OF FUEL IS USED? Propane is used and is kept in pressurized tanks on the floor of the basket. The balloon carries 30 to 40 gallons of liquid propane. It is carried under pressure and passes to the burners through flexible hoses. When the valves are opened, the propane atomizes and is ignited by a pilot light in the burners. The flame may shoot out as much as 10 or 20 feet, making a loud “whoosh”.
Frequently Asked Question #10 HOW LONG CAN IT STAY UP? It depends. The balloon carries enough fuel to remain aloft for two hours, but factors like outside air temperatures, weight being carried in the basket and weather determine the duration of the flight.
The 2019 indoor market vendors are ready for the first day of the 34th Atlantic Balloon Fiesta! Come check them out in the 8th Hussars all weekend!
Frequently Asked Question #9 HOW HIGH DO BALLOONS FLY? Most balloon flights are between 500 and 1,000 feet above the ground. But balloons can fly at treetop level or go much higher.
Good morning everyone! ☀️ We are receiving tonnes of messages and calls worried about the POSSIBLE impending weather for this weekend( and some guy named Dorian??) Our event as a whole (Bandstand, Vendors, Amusement Rides, Indoor Market etc.) is a RAIN OR SHINE EVENT AND CANNOT BE RESCHEDULED. At this time we still have balloon flights scheduled all weekend long! Pilots meet before each scheduled flight time to discuss current weather conditions and other factors to determine then, and only then, if they are able to fly. We will definitely keep you all posted if anything changes but as of right now WE ARE DEFINITELY STILL A GO FOR A FULL WEEKEND OF FUN IN SUSSEX! 😊 🎈
Frequently Asked Question #8 HOW FAST DOES THE BALLOON GO? As fast, or as slow, as the wind. Since the balloon has no forward propulsion systems, its speed is determined entirely by the speed of the wind.
Frequently Asked Question #7 HOW DO YOU STEER A HOT AIR BALLOON? Strictly speaking, you don’t. The balloon goes where the wind takes it. However, the winds at varying altitudes may blow in different directions and at different speeds, so the trick is to climb or descend to an altitude where the wind is blowing in the direction you want to go.
Frequently Asked Question #6 HOW BIG ARE THE BALLOONS? The typical sport balloons range in size from 65,000 to 105,000 cubic feet in volume and stand around 70 feet tall. The Tele-Direct hot air balloons are 90,000 cubic feet in volume.
Frequently Asked Question #5 WHAT ARE THE BASKETS MADE OF? The baskets are made of wicker and each one is individually woven by hand.
Frequently Asked Question #4 HOW IS IT INFLATED? During the inflation process, ballooning becomes a group sport. Since a balloon is quite unwieldy on the ground, especially in gusty winds, it takes about four people to get the balloon inflated. To start off, the envelope is stretched out on the ground and attached to the basket, which is lying on its side. A small gasoline-powered fan blows hot air into the balloon. Then the burner is turned on, which heats the air in the balloon. The hot air rises, lifting the balloon upright.
A HUGE thank you to our 2019 Atlantic Balloon Fiesta Committee for all their hard work and determination to get the 34th Annual Atlantic Balloon Fiesta ready! ONE MORE WEEK TO GO!
Frequently Asked Question #3 WHAT ARE HOT AIR BALLOONS MADE FROM? The bag, or envelope, is made of reinforced fabric called rip-stop nylon (although some balloons are made of dacron). This material is lightweight and strong. The fabric is coated on the inside to prevent leaks.
Frequently Asked Question #2 WHERE WILL THE BALLOON GO WHEN IT IS UP IN THE AIR? Wherever the wind takes it! But by selecting different altitudes, watching compasses and charts, pilots can almost fly to the destination where they want to be. When the pilot decides to land, the maneuvering vent will be opened to dump some of the air and to descend more rapidly, fuel valves are closed and the pilot light is blown out. On the ground the ‘rip-cord’ opens the deflation port in the crown of the balloon. Then it is time for the crew to help pack and load the balloon!