4 Hour Shifts • Free Weekend Pass!
Help run one of Vermont’s most photogenic fall weekends. Volunteer shifts are four hours, include a free weekend pass and shirt, and put you close to burners, pilots, and sunrise launches over Quechee Gorge.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
4 hours per shift
Fitness Level
Light physical activity: standing, walking on grass, occasional lifting under 25 lbs; basic mobility recommended
Wildlife
History
Quechee Gorge formed during glacial melt and exposes ancient bedrock; the Balloon Festival has become a local fall tradition that draws regional pilots and families.
Conservation
Volunteers help reduce event footprints by supporting managed parking, waste sorting, and encouraging reusable containers—small actions that protect the river and gorge.
Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce
4 Hour Shifts • Free Weekend Pass!
The Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce (Hartford, Vermont) supports and promotes local businesses and community events in the Quechee and Upper Valley region. As a civic organization rooted in Hartford, the Chamber highlights seasonal programming and festival experiences that connect residents and visitors with regional culture, artisans, and outdoor activities.
At the Quechee Balloon Festival, the Chamber features a range of experiences: hot air balloon rides that lift passengers above the Quechee Valley; Sunrise Yoga sessions led by Kim Wenger Hall timed with morning launches; volunteer opportunities offering free entry, a festival shirt, meal vouchers, and chances to win a hot air balloon ride; and vendor registration showcasing handmade jewelry, woodwork, textiles, and other crafts from regional artists. The Chamber's role centers on presenting these options clearly so visitors can plan attendance, participation, or vendor involvement.
Information provided by the Chamber includes logistics, registration details, and volunteer benefits. The Chamber’s listings reflect local partnerships and community-driven celebration of the festival’s long-running presence — celebrating over 45 years of ballooning in the region. For visitors seeking family-friendly activities, artisan markets, or unique scenic flights, the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce is a primary source of event details and official participation opportunities in Hartford, Vermont.
For accurate schedules, registration steps, and volunteer sign-up instructions, refer to the Chamber’s official festival information to confirm dates, times, and available experiences.
Years Running
45+
Celebrating decades of ballooning
Location
Hartford, VT
Scenic Quechee Valley setting
Volunteer Perks
Free entry + perks
Shirt, meal vouchers, prize chances
Vendor Market
Regional artisans
Jewelry, woodwork, textiles
Reserve a hot air balloon ride, sign up for sunrise yoga, volunteer, or register as a vendor — plan a memorable visit to Hartford, Vermont today.
Arrive layered
Mornings start cold and can warm quickly—wear breathable layers you can add or remove during a shift.
Footwear for field work
Expect uneven grass and mud if it’s wet; sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots keep you steady during launches.
Hydrate and pack snacks
Shifts are four hours—bring a refillable water bottle and a snack unless you’ve booked consecutive shifts for meal vouchers.
Follow radio protocols
If assigned communications, listen first and speak clearly—simple radio etiquette keeps pilots and staff coordinated.
Layered clothing
Helps you adapt to chilly dawns and sunny afternoons during shifts.
Sturdy shoes or boots
Protects feet on uneven launch fields and in wet conditions.
Refillable water bottle
Keeps you hydrated during four-hour shifts and reduces single-use plastics.
Portable phone charger
Useful for communication and photography during long festival days.