Dozens of hot air balloons take over New Jersey sky

READINGTON, N.J. – Connor Stevens has been waiting six years to take a ride in a hot air balloon.

Shortly after the sun rose Friday, Connor, 8, and his mother, Jennie, took a ride on the Flying Mazzocchi on the opening day of the 33rd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in association with PNC Bank at Solberg Airport.

"It was amazing," Connor, whose ride was a belated birthday gift from his parents, said.. "I've been waiting to go up since I was 2."

His father, Jim, said their family, has volunteered at the festival for several years and Connor always has wanted to go up for a ride.

"He's just always loved being around balloons. He's always loved being at the festival watching them go up. He helps a lot, too, with the crew. He's been around it his whole life," Jim Stevens said.

Against a cloudless sky, about 30 balloons rose Friday morning to kick off the festival.

"When the sun is coming up, it's so spectacular. This is only about 25 or 30 balloons and we're going to have 100 of all different sizes and shapes. As the sun is coming up, it's almost a spiritual experience," said Howard Freeman, festival executive producer.

With a beautiful weather forecast for the entire weekend, Freeman is expecting record attendance and urges people to come early.

Freeman said this year's festival features balloons from 22 states, four countries and a galaxy far far away, referring to the 86-foot-tall Darth Vader balloon from Brussels, Belgium, joined by the 62-foot-tall Master Yoda balloon, also from Brussels.

"As always, it's more than just hot air," said Freeman, adding that at 1 p.m. Saturday, Disney Channel teen star Sabrina Carpenter, who portrays Maya on "Girl Meets World," will perform.

Conner said the balloon went up about 700 feet and he could see New York City as well as the field where he plays soccer.

"The people looked like ants," said Connor, who hopes to one day become an hot air balloon pilot.

In the meantime, he plans to save his money in hopes that he will be able to go up for another hot air balloon ride for his ninth birthday. And his mom plans to go again, too.