The Quechee Balloon Festival is a Father’s Day tradition in Vermont (typically the third weekend in June). With 20 to 30 hot air balloons taking to the skies, it is a masterclass in color, motion, and New England charm.

Whether you are a professional photographer looking for the perfect vantage point or a family planning a weekend getaway, here is everything you need to know to navigate the event.

1. Timing and Weather: The Golden Rule

Hot air balloons are entirely dependent on Mother Nature. Even if the sun is shining, high winds aloft can ground a flight.

• Launch Windows: Balloons typically aim for four launch windows: Friday evening, Saturday morning/evening, and Sunday morning. Once the Sunday morning window closes, the teams pack up and head home, so don’t plan on a Sunday evening flight! Balloons typically only attempt to launch around 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM when the air is calmest.
• The “Balloon Master”: This official monitors wind speeds at various altitudes. A “no-go” decision can happen just minutes before a scheduled launch.
• Persistence Pays: In some years, only one out of five scheduled launches may actually happen—but when they do, the sight is spectacular.

Persistence is the name of the game. If you arrive Friday afternoon and were to stay until the Sunday morning balloon launch. You would have a total of 4 chances to see the balloon’s take-off. The “normal” schedule is:

• Friday evening take-off, approximately 6 pm
• Saturday Morning 5:30 am and 6 pm Take-offs
• Sunday morning, 5:30 am, last attempt for the weekend

I usually watch the weather a week prior, looking for sunny, clear weather. If you are a weather geek like me, you could look for the winds aloft for the day before or the morning of. The wind aloft will show the wind speed and direction at different altitudes. This is how a balloon pilot can steer because they are completely at the mercy of the winds and sometimes will land in a field many miles from where they took off.

What I normally do at the Quechee Balloon Festival

I usually arrive in the area on Friday and check into a hotel or campsite within 20 miles. My first stop is always the Friday evening launch. If the balloons are grounded due to wind, I still head into the festival grounds. Your admission is a weekend pass, so it’s worth paying early to enjoy the live music, craft displays, and the Night Glow.

What is a Night Glow? It’s a spectacular sight where tethered balloons are inflated on the ground after sunset. Pilots use their burners to light up the envelopes from the inside, making them look like giant, glowing lanterns against the dark sky.

After a mandatory “fair food” splurge for dinner, Lisa and I head back for a short night’s sleep. By 4:00 AM, I’m obsessively checking the Quechee weather. Clouds aren’t necessarily a dealbreaker, but moving tree branches are—if the surface winds exceed 10 mph, those balloons likely won’t be cleared for takeoff.

2. To Pay or Not to Pay? (Admission vs. Chasing)

Admission is approximately $15 for adults, and your wristband is generally good for the whole weekend.

Why you SHOULD go inside the venue:

• The Experience: Live bands, craft vendors, and exhibitors like the VINS (Vermont Institute of Natural Science), and raptor exhibits lots of things for kids.
• The Food: So many different options from Wood-fired pizzas, or savory crepes, burgers, hot dogs, and the must-try maple cotton candy/ice cream.
• The Night Glow: Around dusk, balloons are tethered to the ground and light up like giant lanterns.
• Ease of Access: You are right there for the inflation and launch.

Why you might stay outside:

If your goal is strictly to “chase” the balloons with your camera, you may prefer to stay near your car to follow them as they drift. BUT! Read my section on parking…

3. Logistics: Parking and Reservations

Book early. Accommodations in Quechee and nearby towns (like those near Mascoma Lake) fill up months in advance. I just checked Airbnb’s, hotels, and Vrbos within walking distance, and as of March, a few things were available. I’ve camped at Mascoma Lake, and I’ve stayed in White River Junction; both are very close (within 20 miles).

The Catch: Parking is the biggest hurdle. On-street parking is strictly prohibited, leaving you with the official fairgrounds or school overflow lots. Here’s the photographer’s dilemma: if you find a prime spot close to the action but decide to ‘chase’ a balloon mid-flight, you will almost certainly lose that spot for the rest of the day

Parking Details:

• On-Field Parking: The closest option to the Quechee Green. It’s worth the fee for quick access to your gear. But once you leave, you might not get back in for the day unless you get lucky.
• Overflow Parking: Located at the Upper Valley Waldorf School. 3/10 mile away. (If you are carrying gear, a camera, lenses, and a tripod, it can be a tough haul.)
• Polo Fields & Shuttles: In recent years, off-site parking at the polo fields (approx. 1 mile away) uses a bus system. (Again, not good if you are trying to follow the balloons)

Pro Tip: If you plan to “chase” the balloons after they launch, shuttle parking can be a hindrance. Try to secure a spot where you have immediate access to your vehicle. (Not easy to do) I have parked at a business up on Route 4 and walked back to the Quechee covered bridge.

4. Photography Guide: Best Vantage Points

To get the best shots, you need to understand the local geography and the flow of the Ottauquechee River. As you view the Google Map, you will notice that the festival grounds are located next to the river. We’ll call this “on the grounds”, you can walk along the river towards the Quechee covered bridge, but you will have to go back to the road to cross the covered bridge (Another prime AND popular vantage point). These areas are your ideal locations, depending on the wind conditions.

• On the Field: I would use a wide-angle lens during the “inflation” phase to capture the scale and vibrant colors against the grass. Also, getting them during the initial take-off phase. In 2015 the was a gentle high pressure centered directly over Quechee, which meant the balloons circled the field,
• The balloons will attempt with their passengers to do touch-and-gos on the river; this can be a great opportunity to see how good the pilots are (see my video on this
• The Night Glow: On Friday and Saturday evening, you should bring a lightweight chair and a tripod. The glow only lasts 15–20 minutes, so have your settings ready.
• The River Run: If winds allow, balloons love to float toward the Quechee Covered Bridge, over Dewey’s Pond, and occasionally down into the Quechee Gorge.
• Simon Pearce Glass Blowing: This is a great “outside the fence” spot to view the morning launch, but be prepared to share the view.

Viewing examples from where I’ve shot

On the Field

What I’ve found is that for evening flights, they are generally in the air by 6:30 PM. The Night glows are going by 8 PM, and the morning takeoffs are around 5:30 AM. Now factor in your travel time if you are driving in and finding parking, and you will see why I say it might be worth it to get an Airbnb on the river and within walking distance. (No, I’ve never stayed that close)

Along the River, between the Field and Simon Pearce

If you leave the main field and walk downriver, you can often find a quiet stretch of bank between the Green and Simon Pearce. From here, you’ll have the covered bridge to your left and the launch field to your right. This is the prime spot to catch pilots attempting ‘touch-and-goes’—a thrilling maneuver where they drop the basket just enough to skim the surface of the Ottauquechee River.

I watched half a dozen pilots try their luck, but only one had the perfect line to get within inches of the water. Of course, out of all the colorful, unique balloons there, the one that nailed the shot was the RE/MAX corporate balloon! 🤣😰😍

“You can see the RE/MAX balloon’s perfect ‘touch-and-go’ at the 2:20 mark in my festival highlight reel below!”

From the Quechee covered bridge

The Quechee Covered Bridge is the town’s most iconic landmark and a favorite for photographers. Rebuilt after Hurricane Irene, it features a pedestrian walkway that offers a stunning vantage point. When the wind is right, balloons drift low over the water, allowing you to use the bridge’s historic architecture as a perfect frame for your shots.

Drone Photography is not permitted on the fairgrounds

This is a no-brainer for any Part-107 pilot like myself or most recreational drone enthusiasts. No flying over or near gatherings of people. Now, this isn’t to say you can’t photograph the balloons from a safe distance.

🚁 A Note on Drones: While it’s tempting to get an aerial view, drones are strictly prohibited on or over the festival grounds for safety reasons. If you want those overhead shots, you’ll need to launch from private property well outside the event perimeter (with owner permission) and keep a safe distance from the balloon flight paths.

5. Beyond the Balloons

If the weather isn’t cooperating for a flight, Quechee still offers plenty of photographic interest:

Scouting the Area: Iconic Photo Ops Around Quechee

Simon Pearce Mill & Glassblowing: Simon Pearce is a must-visit for its live glassblowing demonstrations, where you can watch artisans shape molten glass from just feet away. The facility is uniquely powered by the rushing waterfall outside, which you can view from their award-winning, farm-to-table restaurant.

Quechee Gorge (“Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon”): At 165 feet deep, the Quechee Gorge offers some of the most dramatic views in New England. You can photograph it from the Route 4 bridge for a massive panoramic shot, or hike the easy 1.4-mile round-trip trail down to the riverbank to capture the sheer scale of the cliffs from below.

Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS): Located just up the road, VINS features a stunning Forest Canopy Walk that puts you 65 feet above the forest floor—perfect for bird’s-eye photography. It’s also the best place to see live raptors, including bald eagles and falcons, in large outdoor enclosures.

Quechee Covered Bridge: Rebuilt after Hurricane Irene, the Quechee Covered Bridge
is perhaps the most iconic landmark in town. For photographers, it serves as a perfect foreground element when balloons drift low over the Ottauquechee River. You can capture great angles from the patio at Simon Pearce or by walking down to the riverbank near the bridge’s stone abutments.

Taftsville Covered Bridge: For a quieter alternative, head a few minutes down Route 4 to the Taftsville Covered Bridge. As one of Vermont’s oldest and longest bridges, its vibrant red color and ‘two-span’ design provide a striking contrast against the lush summer green. It’s a fantastic spot for wide-angle shots, free of festival crowds.

Love New England Landscapes?

If you enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Quechee Balloon Festival, I’d love to have you along for the rest of my adventures!

• Watch more on YouTube: Subscribe to my channel for more festival highlights and New England travel tips.
• Bring the view home: You can find high-quality prints of the balloons and the Quechee Covered Bridge in my Fine Art America gallery.
• Stay in the loop: Follow me on Instagram or Bluesky for real-time updates on the best foliage and photography spots in the Northeast.

Jeff “Foliage” Folger  

Jeff “Foliage” Folger is a New England-based photographer specializing in autumn colors and scenic landscapes. You can find his work on Fine Art America or follow his latest adventures on Bluesky and Instagram..You can also find him on Facebook