2nd annual Music and Balloon Festival coming to Norwich for the Fourth of July
NORWICH – With the Fourth of July holiday right around the corner, plans are underway to launch the 2nd annual Music and Balloon Festival in Norwich to celebrate the occasion.
This year’s Music and Balloon Fest takes to the Chenango County Fairgrounds starting at 10 a.m. on July 4. Admission to the event, sponsored by the Elks Club in Norwich, is $5 per person while children ages nine and under get free admittance. Proceeds will benefit the Chenango County Sheriff’s Memorial Education Fund.
With live musical performances scheduled to take the stage throughout the day, several food and craft vendors on hand, flea markets, contests, fireworks and a number of other family friendly attractions, the festival promises a little something for everyone, said event organizers Rick Stark and Debbie Bowers.
Although inclement weather put a damper on last year’s inaugural Music and Balloon Fest, hopes are high for sunny skies this year, said Bowers. Local talent are invited to put their vocals to the test during a karaoke contest, which kicks-off the celebration at 10 a.m., followed by a performance from young rising country artist Kaitlyn Jackson at noon and local “power twang” rockers, the Woodshed Prophets, at 12:30 p.m.
Music will be sidelined at 1 p.m. for the first of two monster truck shows - a new attraction this year, said Borrows, citing efforts to make the festival more kid-friendly.
“One thing we hope to do is cater more toward kids this year,” she explained. “There really wasn’t a whole lot we could offer just for kids last year and we’re hoping this will draw more in.”
The second monster truck show will begin at 7 p.m., she added.
Music takes center stage once again at 2:30, starting with vocalist Shannon Stark, followed by the Kolby Oakly Band. The spotlight will shine on the country music group the Jason Wicks Band at 4 p.m., then it’s this year’s featured artists Cassidy Lynn at 5:30, and local favorites the Beadle Brothers Band will cap off musical performances at 8:15.
Plenty of other activities are also planned during the event to keep festival-goers entertained. The Ross Park ZooMobile rolls into the fairgrounds at 2 p.m. and will stay until 5. A hot dog eating contest will be held a 2:30, and pony rides and a bounce house will keep young ones delighted throughout the day. And of course, a 6 p.m. hot air balloon launch will paint the sky above the fairgrounds with a collage of bright colors - a display only to be topped by the fireworks that will light up the night sky when the sun goes down.
“We’re really hoping to see a lot of people out there this year,” said Stark, noting a struggle in drumming up interest for this once-a-year event. “A lot of the local smaller business have been great in helping us out but we are still looking for someone to step up and help with the sponsoring of fireworks.”
Advance tickets for the Music and Balloon Festival are available at Service Pharmacy, Hayes Office Products and Mayhood’s Sporting Goods in Norwich. There are additional advantages to buying a ticket prior to the event, Stark pointed out. Anyone who purchases tickets in advance will be entered to win a guitar signed by country western star Jason Aldean, courtesy of Music Square in Norwich.
Stark and Bowers are currently searching for additional rides and vendors to attend the festival as well. For additional information, contact Stark at 226-4746.
This year’s Music and Balloon Fest takes to the Chenango County Fairgrounds starting at 10 a.m. on July 4. Admission to the event, sponsored by the Elks Club in Norwich, is $5 per person while children ages nine and under get free admittance. Proceeds will benefit the Chenango County Sheriff’s Memorial Education Fund.
With live musical performances scheduled to take the stage throughout the day, several food and craft vendors on hand, flea markets, contests, fireworks and a number of other family friendly attractions, the festival promises a little something for everyone, said event organizers Rick Stark and Debbie Bowers.
Although inclement weather put a damper on last year’s inaugural Music and Balloon Fest, hopes are high for sunny skies this year, said Bowers. Local talent are invited to put their vocals to the test during a karaoke contest, which kicks-off the celebration at 10 a.m., followed by a performance from young rising country artist Kaitlyn Jackson at noon and local “power twang” rockers, the Woodshed Prophets, at 12:30 p.m.
Music will be sidelined at 1 p.m. for the first of two monster truck shows - a new attraction this year, said Borrows, citing efforts to make the festival more kid-friendly.
“One thing we hope to do is cater more toward kids this year,” she explained. “There really wasn’t a whole lot we could offer just for kids last year and we’re hoping this will draw more in.”
The second monster truck show will begin at 7 p.m., she added.
Music takes center stage once again at 2:30, starting with vocalist Shannon Stark, followed by the Kolby Oakly Band. The spotlight will shine on the country music group the Jason Wicks Band at 4 p.m., then it’s this year’s featured artists Cassidy Lynn at 5:30, and local favorites the Beadle Brothers Band will cap off musical performances at 8:15.
Plenty of other activities are also planned during the event to keep festival-goers entertained. The Ross Park ZooMobile rolls into the fairgrounds at 2 p.m. and will stay until 5. A hot dog eating contest will be held a 2:30, and pony rides and a bounce house will keep young ones delighted throughout the day. And of course, a 6 p.m. hot air balloon launch will paint the sky above the fairgrounds with a collage of bright colors - a display only to be topped by the fireworks that will light up the night sky when the sun goes down.
“We’re really hoping to see a lot of people out there this year,” said Stark, noting a struggle in drumming up interest for this once-a-year event. “A lot of the local smaller business have been great in helping us out but we are still looking for someone to step up and help with the sponsoring of fireworks.”
Advance tickets for the Music and Balloon Festival are available at Service Pharmacy, Hayes Office Products and Mayhood’s Sporting Goods in Norwich. There are additional advantages to buying a ticket prior to the event, Stark pointed out. Anyone who purchases tickets in advance will be entered to win a guitar signed by country western star Jason Aldean, courtesy of Music Square in Norwich.
Stark and Bowers are currently searching for additional rides and vendors to attend the festival as well. For additional information, contact Stark at 226-4746.
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