About the Quechee Balloon Festival
New England’s premier hot air balloon festival, celebrating community, adventure, and Vermont’s beauty since 1980.
A Legacy of Wonder
The Quechee Balloon Festival has been a cherished tradition in Vermont for over 45 years, bringing together families, friends, and visitors from near and far under a colorful sky.
How It All Began
It all started on a cool spring day in 1978, when a pickup truck arrived at the Quechee Inn. The truck bore the emblem of the Glens Falls, New York Balloon Festival, and out stepped Ed Griskott, a seasoned ballooning promoter. With a hearty voice and an infectious smile, he introduced himself, asking for Mike Yaroschuk, the new owner of the Quechee Inn. “Let’s talk hot air ballooning,” he declared. And with that, history was made.
Mike and his wife, Barbara, had recently moved to Quechee with their three children, eager to transform the Inn into a premier traveler’s destination. Not one to sit still, Mike co-founded the Quechee Chamber of Commerce in 1978 alongside other local business owners. Looking for a signature event to put Quechee on the map, they seized the opportunity that Ed presented. The first Quechee Balloon Festival was scheduled for the last weekend in June 1979, coinciding with Mike’s birthday and the Charlestown, Massachusetts tradition of celebrating Bunker Hill Day.
The First Festival
Held on the Quechee Green, the inaugural event featured six hot air balloons offering morning and evening flights, local restaurants serving their finest dishes, and a few musicians performing at the old bandstand. With only one entrance and minimal infrastructure, parking was behind what is now the Red Barn Condominiums. Though the Chamber lost money on that first festival, the sight of those balloons soaring over the Green convinced them they had started something special.
Some Things Change
Over the years, the festival evolved. Here’s a few of the changes:
- To better accommodate visitors, the festival moved to Father’s Day weekend, where it’s remained (with a few interruptions.)
- Online ticketing started in 2024. Better late than never?
- The Quechee Chamber of Commerce became the Hartford Area Chamber, but kept the balloon festival aloft.
Cool Moments
The festival has hosted some unforgettable spectacles like:
- Speciality shape balloons like Smokey the Bear (who once required repairs after clipping a tree branch), the Purple People Eater Dragon, the gigantic American Flag, and a Hatching Baby Dinosaur.
- We get a lot of proposals, and even a wedding or two. Something about the weather, maybe?
- Live entertainment, like Pups in the Air, magic shows, and music.
Mike’s Legacy
Tragically, Mike Yaroschuk was diagnosed with cancer in late 1984 and passed away in March 1985. To honor his vision and dedication, the Quechee Chamber of Commerce rebuilt the Village Green bandstand, placing a brass plaque in his memory.
Beyond the festivities, the community impact of the event is undeniable. Each year, thousands of visitors travel from near and far, filling hotels, restaurants, and shops throughout the Upper Valley. What began as a birthday celebration has grown into a beloved annual event where families and friends come together to mark Father’s Days, graduations, reunions, and all of life’s milestones. In 2025, we crossed our 45th anniversary, and we’re looking ahead to many more years.