Assembly Resolution No. 630

BY: M. of A. Simpson

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the
Adirondack Balloon Festival

WHEREAS, Fairs and festivals empower communities to attract new
visitors while capitalizing on local commercial and cultural value; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
support events of significance which contribute to the entertainment and
vitality of the communities they serve, and which exemplify the history
and development of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1970s Warren County's tourism and publicity
office was looking for an idea for an event which would bring visitors
to the region after Labor Day; at that time, there were relatively few
hot air balloons in the nation; one such balloonist, John Marsden from
Manchester, Vermont, shared photos of his balloon with some visionary
Glens Falls residents, which included Walter Grishkot, and the
Adirondack Balloon Festival was born shortly thereafter; and

WHEREAS, The early days of the Festival were held at Adirondack
Community College, now known as SUNY Adirondack; as the event grew, a
larger site was needed to accommodate the growing number of balloons and
spectators; that new site was the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in
Queensbury, New York, where it continues to be held today; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, this not-for-profit organization has
never charged the public to witness this magnificent site; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the event has drawn international
exposure for the Glens Falls region with relationships being formed with
cities like Saga, Japan and Gatineau, Quebec; the event traditionally
draws balloonists from across the United States but also internationally
based pilots; and

WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings, the event currently draws
upwards of 100,000 people over four days; the Festival has been named
one of the Top 100 events in North America and has received accolades
from the Weather Channel, Food Network and media coverage including
numerous Associated Press articles as well as New York Times, Amtrak and
Southwest Airlines; and

WHEREAS, After the death of founder Walter Grishkot in 2011, a
foundation was set up in his memory to raise funds to promote interest
in education in the sciences of aviation and aerospace; in the summer of
2021, his wife Joan also passed away, leaving a hole in the hearts of
all those who diligently work each year to make the Festival a success;
and

WHEREAS, Today, the Adirondack Balloon Festival continues to serve
as an extraordinary attraction, bringing thousands of people each year
to see what it has to offer; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those organizations that have brought entertainment and cultural
enrichment to the citizens of the State of New York; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Adirondack Balloon Festival; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of the Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Adirondack Balloon Festival.