Did you see the balloons in Quechee?

The sky was filled with balloons and the grounds with music, art and laughter during the 29th Annual Quechee Hot Air Balloon, Fine Art and Craft and Music Festival.

Located on the village green circle just off of Route 4, the three-day festival offered balloon rides, live music, arts and crafts vendors and a host of children’s activities, said Gayle Ottmann, executive director of the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Our festival is not the largest, but it is the longest-running balloon festival in New England,” Ottmann said.

Last year’s festival drew about 15,000 visitors over three days, Ottmann said.

When darkness fell, the balloons took flight for the After-Dark Balloon Glow. The envelopes of the balloons are lit from within so that they glow, and the lights are choreographed to music, Ottmann said.

Balloonist Gary Lovell has attended the festival in Quechee for the past 23 years — longer than any other participant — and said the area is ideal for a balloon festival.

“We are a weather-dependent culture, but Quechee has some of the best weather we could hope for,” Lovell said, noting that he is usually able to fly four of the five flight windows, which he said is the best of any New England festival.

Lovell said becoming a full-time balloonist has made him a happier person.

“Early in my career I used to sell real estate and I realized that I could have a really terrible week and as soon as I hit those burners I felt fine,” Lovell said.

For more information, visit “http://www.quecheeballoonfestival.com/” target=”_blank”>www.quecheeballoonfestival.com.

Contact Josh O’Gorman at josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com.