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Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.

Steve Eichorn Photograph About a dozen balloons are seen during a 2019 launch at the New York State Festival of Balloons in Dansville. The festival returns this weekend at Dansville Municipal Airport.

Ben Beagle/Livingston County News Father and daughter. Gabriella Popp sits on the shoulders of her father, Max, as they watch a balloon launch - and another inflate — on Friday evening at the New York State Festival of Balloons at Dansville Municipal Airport.

Brendan McDonough/Livingston County News File Phono People from all over come to Dansville to get a glimpse of the balloons of display in 2021 at the 40th annual New York State Festival of Balloons.

Ben Beagle/Livingston County News The balloon, Autumn Above, piloted by Scott Griswold of Selkirk, N.Y., passes over the crowd at the New York State Festival of Balloons.

Steve Eichorn/Special to The LCN Balloons are inflated Aug. 31 at the New York State Festival of Ballons at the Dansville Municipal Airport. The day saw two successful launches, including one with about 20 hot air balloons going airborne.

Steve Eichorn Photograph About a dozen balloons are seen during a 2019 launch at the New York State Festival of Balloons in Dansville. The festival returns this weekend at Dansville Municipal Airport.

Ben Beagle/Livingston County News Father and daughter. Gabriella Popp sits on the shoulders of her father, Max, as they watch a balloon launch - and another inflate — on Friday evening at the New York State Festival of Balloons at Dansville Municipal Airport.

Brendan McDonough/Livingston County News File Phono People from all over come to Dansville to get a glimpse of the balloons of display in 2021 at the 40th annual New York State Festival of Balloons.

Ben Beagle/Livingston County News The balloon, Autumn Above, piloted by Scott Griswold of Selkirk, N.Y., passes over the crowd at the New York State Festival of Balloons.

Steve Eichorn/Special to The LCN Balloons are inflated Aug. 31 at the New York State Festival of Ballons at the Dansville Municipal Airport. The day saw two successful launches, including one with about 20 hot air balloons going airborne.

DANSVILLE – The 41st annual New York State Festival of Balloons returns Labor Day weekend with a host of activities planned at Dansville Municipal Airport.

Hot air balloon launches are planned Sept. 2, 3, and 4. There will be music, food vendors and arts and crafts displays each day.

The festival opens at 4 p.m. Friday and includes a balloon “glow” at 7 p.m. During a balloon glow, balloons are inflated but remain tethered to the ground. The flame inside illuminates the balloon, creating a stunning sight. Balloon glows are also scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A balloon launch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday. Additional launches are planned for 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 6 a.m. Monday.

It’s important to remember, organizers note, that balloon launch times are estimates and based upon the weather. A launch may be postponed or canceled because of inclement weather conditions in the area such as rain, fog, or high winds at varying altitudes.

Updates on launches begin about an hour before the scheduled launch on the Festival’s Facebook page.

The best time for hot-air balloons to fly is just after sunrise and just before sunset. That’s when winds tend to be calmest.

The desirable wind speed is below 8 mph, but balloonists must also be concerned with winds speeds in the atmosphere’s upper levels, which can be two or three times faster than surface winds. Pilots, the balloon meister, and other officials meet in the half hour before each scheduled launch to discuss such conditions as wind speeds – both at ground level and aloft – visibility and conditions in nearby locations such as storms to determine whether it is safe to proceed with a launch.

Since 1997, the Dansville Balloon Festival has been designated the New York State Festival of Balloons.

The festival grounds will open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 per person older than 12 years old, while children younger than 12 years old are admitted free.

The festival includes tethered balloon rides, continuous entertainment, rides and games for children, arts and crafts vendors, and an international food court.

The Dansville Fire Department will highlight the hot air balloon Fire Dog. The department will also display its new equipment and have an interactive fire safety display from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Visitors will also be able to meet Sparky the dog and friends.

The festival hosts a car show on Sunday. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and includes six classes: cars, 4x4/off-road, trucks, jeeps, motorcycles, and special interest vehicles such as dune buggies, kit cars and street illegal. Judging is scheduled for 2 p.m. For additional show information, including registration information, go to https://nysfob.com/car-show/.

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Food Court

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Arts & Crafts Show

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Children Rides & Amusements

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Balloon Ride Sales

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Concert – Broadband

5:00 pm - 5:30 pm The Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Tether Rides

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm PM Launch

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Balloon Static Display/GLOW

7:00 pm - 7:30 pm The Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show

6:00 am - 8:00 am AM Launch

6:00 am - 7:00 am Balloon Ride Sales

10:00 am - 9:00 pm Food Court

10:00 am - 8:00 pm Arts & Crafts Show

1:00 pm - 8:00 pm Children Rides & Amusements

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 5K Swag Bag pickup in Hospitality Tent

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm The Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Dansville Fire Department – Interactive Fire Safety

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Concert – Full Swing

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm The Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Balloon Ride Sales

5:00 pm - 5:30 pm The Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Tether Rides

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm PM Launch

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Concert – Southern Tier All Star Jazz Band

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Balloon Static Display/GLOW

7:00 pm - 7:30 pm The Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show

6:00 am - 8:00 am AM Launch

6:00 am - 7:00 am Balloon Ride Sales

10:00 am - 9:00 pm Food Court

10:00 am - 8:00 pm Arts & Crafts Show

10:00 am - 4:00 pm Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show

1:00 pm - 8:00 pm Children Rides & Amusements

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 5K Swag Bag pickup in Hospitality Tent

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm The Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Concert – Southbound

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Balloon Ride Sales

5:00 pm - 5:30 pm The Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Tether Rides

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm PM Launch

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Balloon Static Display/GLOW

6:00 am - 8:00 am AM Launch

6:00 am - 7:00 am Balloon Ride Sales