Get Ready to Soar

I moved to Quechee at the age of 3, and was lucky to have balloons flying overhead as long as I canremember. I started crewing for the “Bearship” the big yellow balloon with a teddy bear complete withbow tie, piloted by Andre Boucher. I always found ballooning...

A serendipitous balloon ride at the age of 10 was Jeff’s first introduction to the world of hot air balloons. But it wasn’t until a class in his final semester at Penn State (B.S. 2002) where a project to design a hypothetical recreation-based business helped him...

“Every flight is a new adventure.  What is most enjoyable is the great people you can meet from all over the world. From Bermuda to the Azores, Cape Town to Moscow.    Darrek began his hot air ballooning career as a crew in the mid-1990s, but before too long,...

Kelly Hilberth is a New Jersey based commercial hot air balloon pilot, educator, and entrepreneur who discovered her passion for ballooning later in life and turned it into a thriving full-time career. Founder of Just Ducky Hot Air Balloon Experiences, Kelly combines...

Andre first flew at the Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival in 1995 with his TeddyBear balloon and always looks forward to flying at the Festival ~ 2026 will be his31 st year flying at the Festival! “The landowners are terrific, and the Vermontscenery is beautiful!” He...

Bill has been flying since 1974 in the USA, Canada, Europe, and New Zealand. He still attends the Irish Balloon Festival. Bill has attended the Quechee Balloon Festival for 25 years. 2022 was his final year as a commercial pilot. Quechee is one ofh is favorite...

Eric: Looking forward to flying in my 11th Quechee Balloon Festival! Quechee is one of my favorite places to fly and where I do most of my flying during the year. I have been involved in balloons since 1983 when my parents and I went for our first flight in Rhode...

Mike’s aviation journey began in 1988 when he earned his fixed-wing pilot’s license. In the late 1990s, he experienced his first hot air balloon ride and quickly developed a deep passion for the sport. After 15 years of crewing, Mike fulfilled his dream of owning his...

Peter Griswold is a second generation balloon pilot and aviation enthusiast. Hot air balloons came into Peter’s life at age 2 through his father, Jim Griswold. It was never a question of if Peter would become a pilot, the question was when. At age 14, Peter began his...

Bob Martel of Sterling, MA is a commercial balloon pilot with 22-plus years aloft. Bitten by the ‘ballooning bug’ in 1968 when a balloon landed in his neighborhood, he pursued the passion after military service, purchasing his first balloon, Harmony, in 2004. Over the...

Don started out crewing for other balloons and that led to his desire to pilot his own. He then went on to receive his Commercial Pilot Certificate. He has flown throughoutthe northeast as well as Ireland. In 2007 Don started Misty River Ballooning located in...

Paul started flying balloons in 1990 and has since flown over 2,300 flights throughout the world. He does most of his flying above the Berkshire Hills in western Massachusetts. With his wife, Judy, as a faithful crew, they always enjoy the Quechee Balloon Festival and...

Danny Welser became hooked on ballooning in 1982 after taking his first ride in a hot air balloon. His wife recalls knowing he would buy a balloon the moment he began peppering the pilot with questions. Just a year later, in 1983, Danny became a licensed balloon pilot...

Mary Beth and Dick Young are thrilled to return to the 45th Annual Quechee Balloon Festival—marking their 28th year flying in Quechee and their 49th year of sharing the magic of hot air ballooning. For them, Vermont is pure beauty from the sky. From peaceful treetop...

Matthew Conklin is one half of the firefighter duo behind an RC balloon extravaganza. This year, he and his team will be bringing three amazing RC balloons to delight and amaze.

Sally Lidinsky is excited to bring her balloon, "Pachycephalosaurus," to Quechee for the first time. Designed by Sally and named by her and Matt’s daughter, Eleanor, the balloon is a true family creation. Ballooning has been a part of Sally’s life since childhood—her...

Matt Lidinsky took his first balloon flight at the age of seven, and the thrill has never faded. A pilot for over twenty years, he has flown in remarkable locations such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Red Rock Park in Church Rock, NM. This year, he looks...

Rich Hamilton is a commercial balloon pilot from Poughkeepsie, New York. His journey into ballooning began as a spectator alongside his wife, Lori, and their daughters, Sarah and Brittany. It all started when Rich booked a flight for Lori with a local pilot—an...