Festival season kicks off in Syracuse

31st Annual Jamesville Balloon Fest begins Friday

The future of the festival was a bit  cloudy at the beginning of the year due to budget concerns, but it's all systems go now for a 31st year. The annual Jamesville Balloon Fest will take place at Jamesville Beach.

The event kicked off at 4pm Friday, and will feature live music beginning at 7pm that evening. Weather permitting, the balloons launch between 6pm and 7:30pm Friday. It costs $7 to get into the event; children 10 and under are free. Parking is also free.

Folks are invited to come and watch the 6am balloon launches on Saturday & Sunday morning for free.

Event Hours:
Friday 4-10pm; Saturday 11am-10pm; Sunday 11am-9pm

Balloon Flight Times:
Friday 6-7:30pm; Saturday & Sunday 6am & 6-7:30pm (weather permitting)

Balloon Glow:
9pm nightly (weather permitting)

Music:
Friday 7-10pm; Saturday 2-10pm; Sunday 1:30-8:45pm schedule subject to change

For more information, visit Balloon Fest's website: http://www.syracuseballoonfest.com/

Polish Fest

The 56th Celebration of the Polish Festival takes place in Clinton Square Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

Admission is free to the event, which promotes Polish culture, heritage, history and traditions.

Jimmy Sturr & his Orchestra, winners of 18 Grammy Awards, will be performing at the 2010 Polish Festival.

The festival kicked off at 4pm Friday in Clinton Square and runs until 11pm on Friday & Saturday. The festival will run from noon until 6pm on Sunday.

Friday, June 11, 2010, 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Salt City Brass - Syracuse, NY
Knewz - Buffalo, NY
"Little Poland" Dance Ensemble - Utica, NY
Al Piatkowski - Cazenovia, NY - *Grammy Winner

Saturday, June 12, 2010, noon - 11:00 p.m.
Fritz's Polka Band from Verona, NY
Ashley Cox - winner of SAMMY for Best New Artist
Tony Blazonczyk's New Phaze, Chicago, IL
"Lowicz" Dance Ensemble - Edmonton, AL - Canada
"Lechowia" Dance Company - Toronto, ON - Canada
Pole of the Year 2010 award
Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra - *Grammy Winner

Sunday, June 13, 2010, noon - 6:00 p.m.
John Gora i Gorale - Burlington, ON - Canada - *Grammy Nominee
"Cracovia" Polish Dance Ensemble, Brampton, ON - Canada
"Lowicz" Dance Ensemble - Edmonton, AL - Canada
Dennis Polisky & The Maestro's Man - Connecticut - *Grammy Nominee
Scholarship awards
Miss Polonia 2010 Awards

For more information, visit the Polish Fest website: http://www.polishscholarship.com/