2023 WARREN COUNTY HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

EXCITING MOMENTS TAKE OVER THE WARREN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE ONCE AGAIN!!!!

The 2023 Warren County Hot Air Balloon Festival took place at the Warren County Community College between Friday June 02, 2023, through Sunday June 04, 2023, which gave children and adults alike the opportunity to find out what it was like to soar high in the sky. With fifteen to sixteen Hot Air Balloons ready to take off, Calderon Charities of America Broadcasting Network and thousands of spectators awaited that very moment. 

Balloons have always been fascinating to us as children because they seemed to have some sort of magic to them. The way they float into the sky with no help and even go as far as the eye can see, wondering where they might end up or how it looks from far above. 

It was already known that the Hot Air Balloon Festival began as a simple project that was done by a husband and wife, but Calderon Charities of America Broadcasting Network’s very own President and Founder, Bishop Junior had the opportunity to sit down with Mrs. Giulia Grotenhuis and ask her a few questions about the festival and the hot air balloons themselves. 

Bishop Junior started his interview by mentioning that it was mentioned that it all began after her husband decided to get into the business of hot air balloons and asked if she would like to assist him. She replied with a slight giggle and responded, “Well let me give it a try and I will let you know”. 

She continued her story by saying, “I was instantly hooked, and it has now been 23 years since that moment”. She is now the Chef Operator of the business”. 

As the interview progressed, Mrs. Grotenhuis went on to explain how the location for the festival was extremely important and this was because it brought the college’s own “drones, robotics, and A.I. programs existence to the local kids’ and their family’s own backyard while introducing it to the entire state of New Jersey and the surrounding areas. While this was a unique style of marketing, she felt that no other kind of marketing might have gotten the program’s existence across any stronger. 

Furthermore, she went on to explain that hot air balloons have unique qualities to them. She said, “Most people have never been on one before due to the price of each ride. While the price is high, it is due to a few factors. One, the fabric is a rip stock nylon which makes it 10 times tougher to tear and costs much more than any fabric available. Thus, allowing it to be good for 400 to 500 hours of use before even being replaced. Another quality is that there are three types of hot air balloons. A helium style hot air balloon, a gas style hot air balloon, and a propane style hot air balloon. Each style still pumps heat into the balloon itself and does the job the same but is used as a preference only.  

Even though Mrs. Grotenhuis explained that hot air balloons were very safe, she went on to state that they are like huge parachutes, carry fire extinguishers on board, inspected regularly, as well as properly handled accordingly. 

After the interview on Thursday June 1st, Calderon Charities of America Broadcasting Network had the opportunity to witness just how hooked Mrs. Grotenhuis was from Friday June 02, until Sunday June 04. While attending the festival, Calderon Charities of America Broadcasting Network was able to witness not only the number of spectators the festival brought in, but also the amazing hot air balloons that one has ever seen.

As Calderon Charities of America Broadcasting Network began to set up for the weekend, there were issues with the weather. While there is some wind needed for the hot air balloons to do their own thing high in the sky, too much wind can be an issue. While many awaited that flawless moment in the sky, the wind had other plans. This was the problem that Mrs. Grotenhuis faced the entire weekend. So, instead, spectators were amazed by the variety of food trucks, live entertainment, games, and small venues around the festival. On Saturday there was a slight break in weather and some of the spectators had the opportunity to ride in the tethered hot air balloon. 

Some said, “It was amazing. Even though it was not a thousand feet in the sky and only 50 – 60 feet, it was still truly majestic”.

Another said, “There were no disappointments here today. The festival never let me or my family down”.  

While Calderon Charities of America Broadcasting Network had the time of their lives, the crew must say, “one of the most memorable moments was “Balloonmagation. It showcased the hot air balloons being lit by the flames (with their colors and designs shown to the spectators) while doing so to the beat of various songs playing over loudspeakers. 

The Warren County Hot Air Balloon Festival was a real masterpiece that everyone needs to witness at least once in their lifetime. 

Since her husband’s passing, Mrs. Grotenhuis has continued to live out her husband’s passion by hosting the annual hot air balloon festival four times a year. While her late husband may have started the festival, she continues to bring it to the world by continuously hosting the festival in April, June, July, and September.

**CALDERON CHARITIES OF AMERICA BROADCASTING NETWORK’S STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND INTERNS WOULD ALL LIKE TO THANK MRS. GUILIA GROTENHUIS FOR HAVING US THERE AND ALLOWING US TO EXPERIENCE A TRUE MOMENT OF A LIFETIME**