Sussex Hot Air Balloon Festival

I thought I would take a drive to Sussex NB today to take in the Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival, seen everything else but a hot air balloon. Strong wind & rain kept them grounded a security guard told me. The only thing you seen in the air were 2 Helicopters, that were kept busy as the public could pay to go up for a tour around Sussex .
Video aired on CTV News with Kelland Sundahl.
While the festival averages over 45,000 visitors, and has seen as many as 60,000, admission is free.

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* WHERE: Princess Louise Park, Sussex, N.B.
* Weekend Activities include: Balloon flights, paid balloon rides, powered para-gliding demonstrations, Kavanaugh Amusement Rides, helicopter rides, Bell/Aliant children's games, bingo tent, Appaloosa horse show, New Brunswick Agricultural Museum, model train display, PotashCorp fossil find, talent show & talent contest on Sunday afternoon, Lots of vendors and concessions, craft fair, utdoor Bandstand, antique car show and shine on Sunday, Sparade (Spray Parade) Saturday at 1 p.m. through downtown Sussex, Saturday evening at dusk, the Balloons inflate for our spectacular Moon/Candle Glow.
* Free admission to the grounds.
Today
* 6:30 a.m.: Balloon Launch. Paid Rides ($160/person, cash only), weather permitting. Following the launch stick around for powered para-gliding demonstrations
* Noon-9 p.m.: All-day activities, concessions and vendors
* 4 p.m.-10 p.m.: Live Entertainment at outdoor bandstand. Free
* Noon-9 p.m.: Atlantic Balloon Fiesta Craft Fair. Admission $3
* Kavanaugh Amusements
* 5 p.m.: Opening ceremonies will take place on the launch field. Cake will be served.
* 5:30 p.m.: Balloon Launch Paid Rides ($160/person, cash only) weather permitting; Following the launch stick around for powered para-gliding demonstrations
* 9 p.m.: Fireworks, weather permitting. Princess Louise Park.
Saturday
* 6:30 a.m. Balloon Launch, Princess Louise Park; Paid rides ($160/person, cash only), weather permitting. Following the launch stick around for powered para-gliding demonstrations
* 9am-9 p.m.: Atlantic Balloon Fiesta craft fair. Admission $3
* Noon-10 p.m.: Live Entertainment, outdoor bandstand (free)
* Kavanaugh Amusements
* 10:30 a.m.-11 a.m.: Teddy Bear Parade. Participants are asked to bring their favourite Teddy Bear and parade around the launch field together. Special guests expected.
* 11:15 a.m.: Magician Don Mockler performs upstairs at the arena
* 1 p.m.: Atlantic Balloon Fiesta Sparade starting at the Sussex Train Station and continuing up Main Street to Princess Louise Park. (water sprayers only, please. No water balloons.) Spectators be prepared to get wet.
* 3:30 p.m.: Pilot chat - come and meet the balloon pilots and hear their stories on the launch field
* 3 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Sidewalk chalk art contest. Show your creativity. In Tennis Court
* 5:30 p.m.: Balloon launch, Princess Louise Park. Paid rides available ($160/person, cash only), weather permitting. Following the launch stick around for powered para-gliding demonstrations
* 8 p.m.: Magic Night Balloon Glow on the launch field, weather permitting.
* 8:30 p.m. Bandstand, featuring Silver Canyon
Sunday
* 6:30 a.m.: Balloon launch, Princess Louise Park. Paid rides available ($160/person, cash only), weather permitting. Following the launch stick around for powered para-gliding demonstrations
* 9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Atlantic Balloon Fiesta craft fair, 8th Hussars Sports Centre, Admission $3
* 10:30 a.m.: Gospel on the bandstand
* 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Classic and antique car show and shine
* Noon-5 p.m. Live entertainment at the bandstand
* Kavanaugh Amusements
* 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Children's games and scavenger hunt
* 12:30 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.: Age 11 and under Perry White talent show
* 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Age 12 to 18 talent contest.
* 2 p.m.: Magician Don Mockler performs upstairs at the arena
* 5:30 p.m.: Balloon launch. Paid rides ($160/person, cash only), weather permitting. Following the launch stick around for powered para-gliding demonstrations