2025 Balloon Rally Canceled

The Letchworth Red, White & Blue Balloon Rally has been canceled for 2025

The event organizer is Balloons Over Letchworth, a family-owned business that provides balloon rides from within Letchworth State Park. Each year multiple pilots, their spouses, children and extended family as well as a large group of crew people and volunteers have worked together to make the event a success. Additionally, Letchworth State Park employees take on additional work in support of the event. It requires a more comprehensive effort than most people might expect.

In recent years insurance costs for events of this type have risen sharply. Additionally, a significant number of key family contributors will be unavailable to support operations this Memorial Day weekend. To continue successfully, the organizers must find a workable solution to the rising costs which will fundamentally impact how the rally is organized and managed. The organizers have concluded that reduced staff and rising costs would compromise their ability to produce an event matching their standards of safety, affordability and quality, so the decision was made to cancel for 2025.

There has been some speculation that NYS or the Park had something to do with this decision. That is not the case. Park leadership and staff have been extraordinary in their support for the event; and their support has never wavered!

We are keenly aware that this news comes as a great disappointment to many, as it does for us as well. We recognize that the event has been a source of joy, and we are grateful for the wide interest and enthusiastic support the community has shown. We remain committed to sharing the joy of lighter than air flight and the beauty of creation with those we encounter. We also are wholly committed to quality and safety. As always, for anyone wishing to see balloons in the gorge, we will be operating all season long. Though it will not be a gathering of 25 balloons, we invite you to witness our launches of up to four balloons at the Upper Middle Falls area whenever the weather permits. And keep your eyes open for announcements about next year’s event during the winter of 2025-2026.