Posted September 16, 2011 | Copyright © The Northern Virginia Daily
Print This | Buy Photos | Get E-mail Alerts | Twitter Facebook | Festival at Long Branch celebrates its 15th yearBy Jessica Wiant - jwiant@nvdaily.com Long known for its balloons, this is the first year the balloons -- still a part of the festival -- aren't planned to launch, according to Angela Anderson, the director of events at the Historic Long Branch estate. That doesn't mean balloon rides won't still be available, however. About five balloons will be tethered or on static display, throughout the weekend, she said, and paid tethered balloon rides will still offer festival goers the chance to go 300 feet up and back down in a balloon's basket. Anderson explained that the festival failed to get the permission of all surrounding property owners to land, which is necessary "because a balloon doesn't have a brake or a steering wheel." Weather conditions for the October event have also been an issue in the past, she explained. One new feature of this year's event will be beer sales, according to Anderson. Virginia Eagle distributors will be offering one domestic and two handcrafted beers on site, she said, to offer people something to sip on besides the usual wine available during the festival. The balloon fest offers lots of free activities for children including inflatables, balloon shapes, face-painting and hula-hoop demos. An entire children's annex tent will offer crafts and other activities, sponsored this year by the Clarke County High School cheerleaders. The festival kicks off on Friday, Oct. 14, from 4 to 8 p.m. when there will be musical performances; lit, tethered balloons; and a pumpkin glow. People can bring in their own pumpkins for the even before 6 p.m. The festival will be in full swing Oct. 15-16 with wine tasting, live entertainment, festival food and a wide selection of unique and handcrafted items for sale. Long Branch is a 19th century brick estate located in Millwood in Clarke County. Tickets for the Hot Air Balloon, Wine & Music Festival are $10 for adults on Friday and $20 on Saturday and Sunday. Wine tasting is $20 per day, and beer tickets are available for $5 each. Weekend passes are also available. If You Go
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