The Balloon Rally is FREE for all to enjoy.  Please support the festival through donations or food purchased at the Rotary Food Tent. Food, Beverages, Amusement Rides, Helicopter, and Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides all have separate charges. 

Due to safety concerns, drones (of any shape or size) are not permitted at Drake Field during the Balloon Rally. 

Helicopter rides are $85 per person and are located at the Thyng Memorial on Barnstead Road. 

Unfortunately rides in the Hot Air Balloons during launches are not available. However, tethered rides may be available Friday and Saturday afternoons depending on weather and balloon availability. Tethering means, the balloon is securely anchored to the ground and ascends a certain height above the ground.

Parking will be available at several sites throughout town. All proceeds raised from parking fees go directly to the nonprofits staffing the lots. 

Parking with Shuttle – $10/car. Hours – Friday at 3:30pm, Saturday at 9am. Last shuttle pickup at Chestnut St Gate at 10pm on Friday and following Fireworks on Saturday. Proceeds benefit Victory Workers 4H.

Wheelchair accessible shuttle will be available.

– Globe/MSA – 37 Loudon Road, Pittsfield NH

Parking no Shuttle – $10/car. Hours – Friday from 4pm to 7pm, Saturday from 5:30am to Dusk, Sunday from 5:30am to 7am. Proceeds benefit Barnstead PTO. 

– Atlantic Safety – 55 Barnstead Road, Pittsfield, NH

Disability Parking Lot –  Not available

The Carroll St parking lot is not available this year. People with disabilities can park in the Globe/MSA parking lot at 37 Loudon Road, and take the shuttle which drops off passengers at the gate at Chestnut and Smith St. Individuals can also be dropped off at the gate at Chestnut and Smith St. Be sure to access the gate via Smith St as Smith St is one way and there is no entry at Chestnut St.

Pets are not allowed at Drake Field during the Balloon Rally. We request that all non-service animals stay home during our event. Many animals are startled or afraid of hot air balloons and the sounds they make. Service Animals are permitted.

Drake Field is school property, and therefore no person shall use any tobacco product, e-cigarette, or liquid nicotine in any public educational facility or on the grounds of any public educational facility.  N.H. REV. STAT. ANN. § 126-K:7 (2010).

Tethering is not set for a specific time, but rather as the weather cooperates. Tethering rides are when the balloon is securely anchored to the ground and ascends a certain height above the ground. The pilot is able to take 2 or 3 people up at a time for a short ascension. Cost is $20/person. Historically, if we’re able to have tethered rides, they occur in the early evening.

Decisions about flights are made by each individual pilot who have the expertise to make the safety decision for our pilots, passengers and crew. Decisions are made immediately prior to the schedule launch time and have a number of factors to be considered.

The event will happen rain or shine. It will not be cancelled unless local officials and organizers determine that there is a safety risk for participants.

Balloon lift off, tethering and night glow are dependent on the weather on the field, in the air and in the area. Our expert balloon pilots make the final decision about whether the balloons go up. This typically happens at the time of the scheduled launch/night glow. Sometimes, they delay in hopes that the weather will improve. Organizers will try to share updates on the event Facebook page.

Many of the activities are not dependent on weather and we hope everyone will join us rain or shine to support our vendors, entertainment and everyone who’s invested their time and funds into this event. Check out the schedule for more information.