James E. McGreevey
Governor

William D. Watley
Secretary of Commerce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Karen Wolfe - 609.292.2523

HOT AIR BALLOONS FLY HIGH IN THE SKY AT 21st ANNUAL QUICK CHECK NEW JERSEY FESTIVAL OF BALLOONING

Festival to take place from Friday, July 25 to Sunday, July 27, 2003

Readington, N.J. (July 2, 2003)—It's a bird…it's a plane…no it's some 125 hot air balloons, filling the sky each day during the 21st annual Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. This event ranks as the largest summertime balloon festival in the North America, taking place from Friday, July 25 to Sunday, July 27 at Solberg Airport in Readington, N.J. (just a one-hour drive from New York City or Philadelphia).

In addition to hot-air balloons of all shapes and sizes, the festival will also feature fireworks, live entertainment from nationally-known rock music acts, children's events, amusement rides, interactive exhibits and attractions for visitors of all ages. The Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning is expected to draw 175,000 people.

"New Jersey's Skylands provides the perfect setting for outdoor events with more than 50 miles of lush forests, rolling hills and open skies just a short drive for visitors from New York, Pennsylvania and other neighboring states," said Nancy Byrne, executive director of New Jersey Commerce's Office of Travel and Tourism.

Festival attractions will include musical performances by Foreigner, featuring lead singer Lou Gramm, Dickey Betts & Great Southern and Eddie Money. A variety of family activities and shows will also be on hand to entertain visitors, such as a "make your own balloon explorium," live parachute jumps, the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, Airborne Jugglers, Adventures in Ollieland, Garfield presents "Happy Birthday to Me," Kachunga, and The Alligator Show.

Advance-sale tickets for festival admission are available through July 24. Adult admission tickets are $15, and $6 for children 54 inches and under. Children three and under are admitted free. Tickets are available at all Quick Chek stores. Festival and JVC Blue Sky Club tickets can also be obtained by calling toll free 800-HOT-AIR-9 (800-468-2479) or online at www.balloonfestival.com.

More information on the Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning can be obtained by contacting the New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism at 609-292-2470. Parties interested in receiving a free copy of the 2003 New Jersey Travel Guide can contact the office at 1-800-VISITNJ (847-4865) or visit the New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism's Web site at www.visitnj.org.