"Mr Peanut"

measuring 138 feet tall by 45 feet wide

Joe Caputo

Pittston, Maine, USA

"Tittravate"

I have been flying regularly ever since I earned my pilots license in 1981.  I purchased my first balloon in 1982.  Most of my flying is for pleasure.  Although I don't actively seek commercial opportunities, I will do an occasional "for hire" flight when asked.  I have enjoyed opportunities to fly in Germany, the UK, and Chile.  I especially enjoy the camaraderie of the Sussex, New Brunswick balloon festivals which I have attended for more than a decade.

Bill Kavelman

Paris, Ontario

"Marjorie Marie"

I’ve been a pilot since 1987 and have attended a number of different festivals/fiestas including many times at Albuquerque. Without question, my favorite festival is your event. I’ve made some good friends in Sussex and have had a number of very interesting flights, including landing on the ridge. There is now a spot on the map that the balloonists call Kavelman’s Ridge. I live near Ayr, Ontario and have lived in this general area for most of my life. I’ve attached a photo of our entry in the 2005 parade. The slogan on my gondola sums up my feelings about the festival, “The Coolest Balloon Festival”.

"Blue Eyes"

I have been Flying balloons for over 14 years and turned a hobby into a full time job. I have 7 balloons ,most with corporate logos which I do advertising with ,I also have a personal balloon( Photo enclosed) that I use to have fun.
I have flown in France, Belgium, the USA, China and most of Québec, Ontario and parts of the Maritimes and I can tell you honestly that Sussex is one of the nicest places in the WORLD to fly.
Every year The Sussex Fiesta is one of the last of the season and is the one I look the most forward to.  Over the years I have made great friends that treat me like family and just the thought of going to the Sussex Fiesta puts a smile on my face.
See you soon
Gentle breezes and soft landings

P.S. "Will Fly Anything"

Doug Shippee,

Saint John,

New Brunswick

"Marco Polo"

NEW!

"Sinbad"

SUSSEX - Pilot Doug Shippee is the man who introduced Sussex to the sport of hot air ballooning.

...read more

Doug Shippee
I have been a Balloon Pilot since 1980, and to my knowledge, flew the first Hot Air Balloon over Sussex. I was one of the organizers of the first annual Sussex Balloon Fiesta in 1985.
I have an instructor rating and have flown in most Canadian provinces, plus all the big fiesta’s in the USA including the worlds largest in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Foreign Countries flown include England, Denmark, Switzerland and France.
The Marco Polo is my third Hot Air Balloon and Sussex NB is proudly our Home Port.

Gary Morgan

Bedford,

New Hampshire

"Gary's Balloon"

I got my start in ballooning back in 1978 at the University of Houston, TX when I took an evening course on Hot Air Ballooning. Today I fly mostly for fun at festivals and with friends at home. An occasional donated ride round out my flights. The Sussex festival has become one of my favorites. What a beautiful valley and my local crew are fantastic.
Most balloons are named. Gary’s Balloon happened when my wife responded to someone’s question. She didn’t know the name of my new balloon and she suggested they ask me because after all it is Gary’s Balloon. The name stuck. Now we have Gary’s crew, Gary’s trailer, Gary’s van, etc, etc.  Getting started in ballooning is easy. Just hang around us and become part of the crew. You may get hooked.  Gary’s Balloon is a Lindstand 90 built in October 2003 at the Galena, Il factory. It holds 90,000 cubic feet and can lift the pilot and two to three passengers.

Janet Power,

Gatineau, Quebec

"Mirage"

Janet originally hails from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and is the first female balloon pilot from the Maritimes.  Piloting since 1998, Sussex continues to be her favorite place to fly. The beautiful scenery, the very friendly landowners, the cheerful balloon fiesta committee members, but most of all the local crew, David DeMerchant, and Jenn and Randy Hall make Sussex unforgettable to Janet. Her favorite memory of Sussex was at Fiesta 2004 where she flew the M&M balloon belonging to Mike & Tammy Lavoie. The easy handling of a small 2 person balloon inspired Janet to purchase her own small balloon, Mirage, 2 weeks later! No more sharing a balloon with pilot husband Gilles Tremblay. Both Gilles and Janet love to talk about ballooning, so feel free to stop and ask them questions if you see them around town.

Gilles Tremblay, Gatineau Quebec

"Memoires"

Gilles, a lieutenant with the Gatineau Fire Department has been flying since 1995. His current balloon is called Memoires as it combines the colors and pattern of his former 2 balloons. After hearing pilot, Bill Whelan sing the praises of flying in Sussex for many years. Gilles had his first flight in Sussex while en-route to a festival in Newfoundland. Local pilot George Paulin arranged crew for Gilles on a beautiful morning in July 1997. The amazing flight hooked Gilles and he has attended every Fiesta since 1998. Sussex Fiesta has given Gilles a new brother and best friend in look-alike crew member John Clark. The enthusiasm of local crew, John, Lisa, Jolene and Dave, make every flight one to remember. Gilles, a former committee member for the Gatineau Balloon Festival, extends a special thank you to Fiesta Committee members. He really knows just how much work is involved in pulling off a successful Fiesta each year.

Ken Rolland

Pickering, Ontario

Obelix

www.balloonflight.ca My name is Ken Rolland and I am Owner/Operator of the Air Display Hot Air Balloon Team.  I have been piloting hot air balloons since 1980 and ballooning is my passion. The smiles of riders as they embark on their ballooning adventure.  The faces of spectators mesmerized by the sights and sounds of balloons being readied.  The excited pointing and yelping of the young as each balloon ascends to the sky, are examples of what has fueled my ballooning over the years.

Marian Deeney,

Tallahassee, Florida

"Hemisphere Dancer"

I love flying in Sussex. It is one of the most beautiful areas to fly that I have ever flown in and folks are so friendly here.

Marian Deeney

Sue Cassidy

Candia, New Hampshire

"Highland Harmony"

Ron and Sue have been flying at the ABF for more years than they can remember. During that time they have watched their crew increase as a new generation unfolds. “It’s the beauty of the valleys and the people that always brings us back”. There isn’t a better festival than the ABF for friendliness and hospitality. Special congratulations to the committee for keeping the festival consistent each year.
We’d like to thank our crews: Jim, Linda, Shawn and Kelly Carter; Vicki and Charlie Keith; Ryan Caldwell; Allyson and Glenn McCormack, and Cindy Campbell (pilot in training). If it weren’t for these special people, the festival would not be as special.

Tammie Lavoie

Milan, New Hampshire

"M & M"

"The Atlantic Balloon Fiesta is at the top of the list of our favorite festivals. The landowners are friendly, the locals treat you like relatives, and the flying area is second to none. We look forward, not only the Atlantic Balloon Fiesta each year, but to the numerous other times throughout the year we visit Sussex to fly and enjoy the local hospitality.

"Wild Bill" Whelan

Ottawa, Ontario

"Patriotic Eh!"

Bob Bush,

Tallahassee, Florida

"Magic Carpet"

Wendell Purvis, Tallahassee, Florida

"Tracer 3"

I started ballooning in 1985 after a balloon landed in my back yard.
I started driving the chase vehicle for that pilot who eventually became my instructor.
Today I am a commercial rated pilot and also work for Unisys Corporation as a computer software engineer.
I spends most of my summer traveling all over New England and Canada sharing the peaceful joys of ballooning.
If someone asks me where my favorite place to fly is located, I immediately answer Sussex New Brunswick. There’s always great people, great view, great landowners and great memories to get me thru the “hard cold winters” of North Florida!!
If I’m not on my farm, playing music at church, or playing guitar with my brothers in the band called Encore, you can usually find me over the tops of trees in the North Florida area sharing God’s world from a different point of view.

Grant Aiello,

Orlando, Florida

"Balloon formerly known as Balloon"

SUSSEX - One of Grant Aiello's best flights in his 25 years as a balloonist took place Friday morning just as the Atlantic International Balloon Fiesta kicked off its weekend events in Sussex...read more

Grant Aiello was born on March 6, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois. He moved to Orlando, Florida in 1972, and joined the Orlando Fire Department in 1976, retiring in 2003. Grant became a balloon pilot and bought his first balloon in 1984. He has owned several balloons, ranging in sizes from two person to six person balloons. Grant worked under Joe Kittinger and flew for the Flying Circus from 1986 to 1992. He has attended numerous balloon races throughout the United States and Canada. He has traveled the world flying and giving lessons, including places like Costa Rica, China, Japan, and France.

Rick Jones,

Concord,

New Hampshire

"Polar Sun"

Walter Crites,

Auburn, Maine

"Rainbows End"

Derald Young

Dixfield, Maine

"Raspberry Ripple"

NEW

Ron Cassidy

Candia, New Hampshire

"Loafer"

Ron and Sue have been flying at the ABF for more years than they can remember. During that time they have watched their crew increase as a new generation unfolds. “It’s the beauty of the valleys and the people that always brings us back”. There isn’t a better festival than the ABF for friendliness and hospitality. Special congratulations to the committee for keeping the festival consistent each year.
We’d like to thank our crews: Jim, Linda, Shawn and Kelly Carter; Vicki and Charlie Keith; Ryan Caldwell; Allyson and Glenn McCormack, and Cindy Campbell (pilot in training). If it weren’t for these special people, the festival would not be as special.

"Twinny"
NEW

"Ciel Adventure"

"Wicked"

"Doc Holiday"