Written by Jonathan Brouillette on 26.07.17

Montreal hosts hundreds of festivals every year, both in and around the city. One of our favourites is without a doubt the International Balloon Festival in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. This is not only because great artists are invited, but because hot air balloons bring us back to a childlike wonder that is so hard to recapture these days. It also helps that the festival grounds are full of food trucks, alcohol terraces, carnival rides, and artist alleys.

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August 12th to the 20th will see the more than 75 hot air balloons float into the International Balloon Festival in Saint-Jean. Tickets to the site will run you $23 per day except Saturdays ($30). However, if you fall in love with the site and plan on multiple visits, the full 9-day pass is less than two-day passes ($54).

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There are also flights available for those who have always wanted to float above the earth. Flying in a balloon is extremely relaxing. The world falls away and everything is yours to behold. Though as most such beautiful experiences, it can run you a pretty penny at $180 for morning flights or $220 for afternoon flights. Whether you choose to ride or not, just seeing the amazing colour parade is a reward in and of itself. It’s even more impressive during the Night Glows when the fiery blazes illuminate the colours in the black of night. These happen on the nights of the 13th, 15th, 18th, and 19th.

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Of course, nights at the festival grounds also bring the artists to the Loto-Quebec Stage. This year has several bands and musicians of note, including Wyclef Jean on the 12th, rap up-and-comers Dead Obies and Husser on the 14th and 15th respectively, and The Franklin Electric on the 18th. There will also excellent be French offerings including Alex Nevsky on the 17th, Les Cowboys Fringants on the 18th, and La Chicane on the 16th.

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The big night that everyone will be gunning for this year, though, is August 19th, which will see Virginia to Vegas and Scott Helman on the same night. Expect huge lines that afternoon to get into the festival. However, locals will tell you that if you ignore Google’s suggestion to take Boul. Industriel and instead take Chemin du Grand Bernier to get to the site, you can avoid a lot of the traffic.

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The 2017 International de Montgolfieres promises to be a great festival for all ages with excellent artists and beautiful hot-air balloons. Expect several special shapes this year including an armadillo from Brazil, a frog and lion from New York, and the cutest pink owl from Ontario. We’ll be expecting you at the 6pm liftoff (though maybe not the 6am one).

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5 Chemin de l’Aéroport, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 7B5, Canada
(450) 346-6000

Photos courtesy of International de Montgolfieres.

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