If you are tired of the same old thing, you may want to come out and enjoy the Chesapeake Balloon and Wine Festival August 4-6.
The Triple Creek Winery in Cordova, Maryland is host to this year’s annual Chesapeake Balloon and Wine Festival which was previously named The Great Chesapeake Balloon and Wine Festival. This year’s festival will feature 19 hot air balloons, boutique vendors and handmade crafts, live entertainment, an expanded Kids Zone, a petting zoo, food vendor trucks and wine. Triple Creek’s Winery’s own wines will be on sale, while patrons will also be able to watch balloons in flight as well as purchase and enjoy rides. On Friday, August 4, the Festival Grounds are open from noon until 8 p.m., during which merchandise and food vendors will be open for business. The musical entertainment -- three bands -- starts at 2 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m. One of the bands, Saved By Zero, is a high energy party band, their music is described as music for the MTV Generation and the quintet are certain to have people dancing with their take on new wave and 80’s dance music. If you like bands such as The Cars, Duran Duran and Talking Heads, then you are certain to love Saved by Zero. But don’t be mistaken, Saved by Zero is a cover band. Wyes Guys will help to provide a little diversity to the musical lineup with their brand of Alternative “Barras,” Shorebilly and Modern Bluegrass.
There will be plenty of food options, serving a wide variety of different food ranging from Maryland Seafood to Tex Mex as well as kid friendly treats such as funnel cakes and ice cream.
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As for the activities, tethered balloon rides will start at 3 p.m. and patrons will have the opportunity to go as high as 80 feet for a charge of $20, in addition to the gate price. At 6 p.m., 12 hot air balloons will depart the grounds, lighting up the night sky and Winery like giant light bulbs.
During the day, on both Friday and Saturday, Delmarva Party Animals will have set up and open a petting zoo aimed toward “those young at heart” and children. The kids zone has been expanded this year and will include six inflatable activities designed for kids of all ages.
Tethered balloon rides will be available all-day Friday and Saturday. Those who want to go even higher can do so on Sunday morning, as Friday and Saturday night’s rides have filled up. The hot air balloon rides are a fun idea but also very expensive. A ride costs $235 per person and can be purchased online, but make sure you fill out an application.
Tickets to the festival are not expensive -- admission is $15 on Friday and $20 on Sunday, but does not include mandatory parking passes. Weekend passes are $30, while kids age 15 and under are free! On-site parking is $3, while offsite parking is only $5 per vehicle.
For more information about The Chesapeake Balloon and Wine Festival as well as Triple Creek Winery and Triple Creek wines, visit the winery’s website.
