Waterbury is the closest station, I can pick you up if yo get there by 2 or so
HOW TO GET THERE
From New Haven and the Eastern shore;
Go North on Rt 91 to 691 in Meriden then West on Rt 84 to Waterbury then North on Rt 8 to Exit 42, West on Rt. 118 to Litchfield, North on Rt. 63 to Fairgrounds
From Bridgeport, Waterbury and points South;
Go North on Rt. 8 Exit 42, West on Rt. 118 to Litchfield, North on Rt. 63 to Fairgrounds
From Winsted, Lee MA and points North;
Go South on Rt. 8 Exit 44 to Rt. 4, West to Rt. 63, then South to the Fairgrounds
From Hartford Canton, Avon and points East;
Rt. 202 or Rt. 4 West to Rt. 63 South to the Fairgrounds
From Danbury, New Milford and points West;
Rt. 4 East to Rt. 63 South to the Fairgrounds
From Canaan, Great Barrington and the North West;
Rt. 7 South to Rt. 63 straight to the Fairgrounds
Schedule and Hours of Operation:
The Gates open to the public at 4 pm Friday June 27th and the Festival kicks off the weekend with a Hawaiian Shirt Friday party. The Balloon launch is scheduled for 6:00 pm weather permitting. The grounds will close at 9:00 pm. Don't forget the shirt! Prizes for the best island look. On Saturday there will be a mass balloon launch at 6 am (again weather permitting) and the public is invited. It will be a precision flying contest called the Silas M. Brooks Hare and Hound race. The booths officially open for the day at 10 am. Many activities and attractions are planned throughout the day including a custom car show and live Blues Bands. The 6 pm mass balloon launch and 9:00pm Balloon night glow are weather permitting. The grounds close at 10:00
Sunday morning a mass balloon launch is scheduled for 6 am. Most passengers agree this is the most peaceful and beautiful flight of the weekend. The activities resume again at 10 am with more family fun and a classic car show followed by the final launch of the weekend at 6pm. The grounds will close at 8 pm.
I'm taking the day off and bringing the family tomorrow afternoon for the opening and the first flight. My folks are up from FL so we'll pile the clan in the van and head up from Norwalk. The littlest one got verrrry excited when I showed her the pics from the web site.
http://mainstreetnow.com/attractions/
I hesitate to say that the weather reports calls for T'storms in the late afternoon/early evening - hope not!
You are too cool. Thanks for the post. I'm doing some last minute packing.
Don't forget- AMERICA ONE will be there too!!!!!!
This will be Patriot's 2nd appearance, and America One's first appearance this year. The first time they will appear together!
No launches this evening - the wind picked up as a mild front moved through. I had my family there and spent a pleasant afternoon and early evening strolling the fairgrounds. We found a nice place to sit near the kite vendor, enjoyed the sunset and gyros al fresco. My very active 2 1/2 year daughter precluded much in the way of socializing though I did have the opportunity to meet Dr. Raoul, yelling "Hey!" at him as he exited the, uh, facilities.
As it was such a beautiful day after all this dreary rain we've had, we were only mildly disappointed by the lack of flight. On the way home, my good wife, who only sees 6:00 a.m. from the other side of her eyelids, suggested we set the alarm for 3:45 a.m. and drive back to Goshen for the morning launch. Mmmhmm. I sit here, at close to 11:00, juiced on the cup of coffee I had to enhance the drive home. We'll see in about 4 hours and 45 minutes, says I.
Oh boy, does that map bring back memories. We were looking at homes in Winsted, Canaan, and FAlls Village last year for a potential move. Much too rich for our Pittsburgh blood. Enjoy the beautiful balloons!