Plainville Fire Company Hot Air Balloon Festival

09/25/2024

Now that things have settled down from this years fun, we ask if you have any pictures to share with us please send them to [email protected] thank you!

08/25/2024

As the night comes to a close, we can’t go on without saying thank you to every single person who attended this year's event. From our awesome crafters and vendors to the food booths, everyone who volunteered to help us out, whether they’re Fire Company members or not, and most importantly, all the spectators and supporters.

For most of us who set up and worked on this event, the last 48 hours or so have been nothing but a blur. All the months of planning and coordinating everything paid off, and we had an outstandingly successful year. It was great to see everyone having an amazing time.

This weekend was nothing but a team effort, and we again can’t thank everyone enough for making it possible. Feel free to post any pictures you guys have and tag us or comment on them here. We love seeing the festival through your eyes!


Once again, thank you!


-The 2024 Plainville Fire Company Hot Air Balloon Festival Committee

08/24/2024

Another reminder: the high school lot is FULL. Go to the airport to park. Thank you!

08/24/2024

Just a PSA: the High School parking lot is FULL. There is still PLENTY of parking at the Airport lot on Johnson Ave

08/24/2024

08/24/2024

We have liftoff!

08/24/2024

As a reminder there are NO shuttles for the 6am launch, you can park directly in the park but must be out by 9am or you will be towed

08/24/2024

The crowd is starting to line up for the best breakfast you can have while watching the 6am balloon launch! Come out and enjoy!

08/24/2024

08/23/2024

First balloon is up!

08/23/2024

We’re open! So I’m sorry if your questions don’t get answered in time. Also come try our amazing fries (I’m cooking them so I’m biased)

08/23/2024

We have 2 corrals setup for bussing. Go to the right for Robertson Airport and to the left for Plainville High School

08/23/2024

We have been a made aware that there is a possible issue with the Fire companies website under the HAB section. All information will be posted here for the rest of the weekend. Thank you.

08/23/2024

While we understand the excitement and need to have your questions answered we have to emphasize PLEASE DO NOT call the firehouse for info regarding today’s festival. I (the amazing social media guy) have heard 15 different calls in the 45 minutes I’ve been here picking up last minute items. Your questions can be answered here or chances are, have already been answered on here. Please don’t tie up our dispatchers as this could delay an emergency response. Thank you!

08/23/2024

Car show information:

Time: 10am
All show cars enter through Moschini way, and there is a $10 entry fee

08/23/2024

Members are together for our annual pre- balloon fest breakfast. After this we’ll be making the final arrangements and setup for everything to kick off at 3pm today! See you all then!

08/22/2024

Balloon festival updates

There will be NO PUBLIC PARKING at Norton Park except Handicap with a valid and displayed Handicap Parking Permit and motorcycles.

Please do not drive to the area of the park looking for parking. You will be stuck in traffic only to be turned away. Our Police Officers will be extremely busy directing traffic, and may not be able to stop and answer questions or give you directions. They are going to direct you to follow the signs for parking.

Follow the red and white signs with the arrows directing traffic to the parking lots. The remote parking lots are Plainville High School, and Robertson Airport. The shuttles from those lots have a dedicated lane into the park and are very quick.

Area Residents, The list below will give you the best access to get to and from your homes during this busy weekend.

The Plainville Police Department would like to thank everyone for their cooperation and patience during the festivities this weekend

Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival Traffic Routes and Closures

1. Handicap, Motorcycle, and Event Personnel ( with passes ) will be the only parking in Norton Park. Everyone else will have to park in one of the off site lots and be shuttled in. Those people will have to display their Handicap Parking Permit or Pass so the officer at Broad Street and South Washington Street can see it to gain access to the park.

2. Cars will only Enter Norton Park from South Washington Street and Exit the park from Norton Trail onto Redstone Hill. There will be no west bound traffic allowed in the park. Traffic is One Way in and out of the park.

3. Hemingway Street, Lincoln Street, Parkside Drive, Willis Ave: Only accessible from Hemingway Street

4. Pearl Street and West Pearl Street: Only accessible from Pearl Street

5. Prior Ave, Roseleah Ave, McDonald St, McConnell Dr, David Ave: Only accessible from South Canal Street

6. Ciccio Court and Madely Court: Only accessible from Townline Road

7. South Washington ST: Addresses on South Washington Street between Broad Street and Norton Park will be accessible from Broad Street. Addresses Between Townline Road and Norton Park will only be accessible from Townline Road

8. 100 Norton Park RD Apartments: Will only be able to enter the park from South Washington Street and exit through Norton Trail onto Redstone Hill. There will be no left turns out of the apartment complex

Lieutenant John Quilter

08/22/2024

Come check us out at our food tent and say hi and support the hardworking men and women of the Plainville Fire Company !

Breakfast is on Saturday only from 5am-9am

Egg Sandwhich- $5
Sausage Egg & Cheese- $6
Hash Browns- $2
Hot Chocolate- $2
Coffee/Tea- $2
Bottled Water- $3
Juice (Apple & Orange)- $3
Hard Roll- $1
Donut- $1

Lunch/Dinner is both days. Friday starts at 3pm and goes to 10pm, Saturday is 9am to 9pm

Hamburger- $6
Cheeseburger- $7
Hot Dog- $5
Chili Dog- $6
Fried Dough- $7
French Fries- $5
Soda/Iced Tea- $3
Bottled Water- $3
Juice (Apple & Orange)- $3
Ice Cream- $5

08/22/2024

A little over 24 hours til the festival begins! Everything is falling in place and we hope you’re all as excited as we are!

08/22/2024

We are just under 48 hours from the start of this years festival, and boy are we excited! We’re gonna answer some of the common questions that have been asked for this year!

Q: What are the times?
A: On Friday the hours are 3-10pm and on Saturday it’s 6am to 9pm

Q: When do the balloons launch?
A: Saturday at 6am and 6pm

Q: When are the ballon glows?
A: Dusk

Q: When are the fireworks?
A: 915pm!

Q: Can I ride in the balloons? If so, how much are they?
A: That is up to the balloonists themselves, we don’t handle any of that so we can’t answer it

Q: Are the shuttles free?
A: Sort of! They’re included in the $5 fee you pay to park at one of our 2 lots!

Q: Where can I park?
A: The High School parking lot on Robert Holcomb Way or at the airport on Johnson Ave

Q: How much are these awesome rides you guys are having this year?
A: Each ride takes between 3-5 tickets and the ticket prices are as follows:
1 Ticket= $1.50
10 Tickets= $13 (Save $2)
30 Tickets= $35 (Save $10)
Wristbands will be $25 and available on Saturday ONLY from 11am-2pm

We know this isn’t EVERY question, but we’re trying to answer the ones we’ve been seeing asked on almost every post. We’ll try to answer more in the coming hours.

Also a reminder, please DON’T call the firehouse asking for information on the ballon fest. This ties up emergency lines and could delay a response to an emergency

08/20/2024

The Plainville Fire Company Hot Air Balloon Festival organizers have an important update regarding the previously released shuttle/parking plan.

There will be NO parking at the former GE/ABB lot on Woodford Ave. in Plainville. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused in your planning, but this was a last-minute change that was brought to our attention. Shuttles will continue to run from Plainville High School and Robertson Airport as previously announced. If you are visiting from out of town, take I-84 to Rt. 72 getting off at exit 5. Take a right on Rt. 177/North Washington St. and follow signs to Robertson Airport. This is our largest parking lot and is most convenient for easy access to the highway.

08/20/2024

Here’s an amazing oppurtunity for anyone looking to help directly with the balloons!

One of the balloonists is looking for some volunteers to help out on their crew Friday and Saturday!

You can contact David Buckingham at [email protected]

ALL questions or comments about this can be turned to him. We will NOT be answering any questions about this here

08/16/2024

We’re officially one week away from the start of the 2024 Plainville Fire Company Hot Air Balloon Fesrival! So far we have over 20 balloons signed up for you all to see!

We hope you’ll have an amazing time this year and that you’re as excited as we are! Throughout the week we’ll be again sharing some of the commonly asked questions and answers and also showing you some behind the scenes photos of what goes into setting this event up!

08/14/2024

Many of you have asked about the entertainment schedule and here it is!

Friday, 8/23

6:00pm-6:30pm – Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drums

6:30pm-9:15pm – Shaded Soul


Saturday, 8/24

12:00pm – Lu’s Dance Crew

1:00pm-3:00pm – Saint Jay

3:30pm-5:00pm – TOP

5:30pm-6:30pm – Nick Rose

7:00pm-8:30pm – Wint Fenderson and the Crossroad Band

11/01/2023

The Plainville Fire Company is excited to announce it's first ever Christmas Tree Sale coming up later this month. These trees are 6-8 ft Balsam Fir and are $75, cash only. Trees will be sold November 24-26 from 12-9pm, November 27th-December 1 from 5-9pm and December 2-3 from 12-9, or until supplies last. A limited number of trees are available this year, so come early!