Festival of Ballooning: VIP Registration with Balloon Ride
Join Michael Downey at the NJ Lottery Festival of Ballooning, the most photographed event on the East Coast! You'll learn how to photograph hot air balloons as they're inflating, launching, and flying up in the air. You'll then be behind the scenes at the festival and free to roam the balloon launch area. Don't miss out on breathtaking visuals of balloons from around the world!
• (1) VIP Parking Pass
• (1) VIP Icelandic Glacial Blue Sky Club Pass
**Access to tables/seating and private restrooms in the tent.
**Does NOT include concert seating or food.
**Balloons will launch at approximately 6:30am.
If you won't be attending the seminar for any reason, please send us an email at [email protected] to arrange a date/time to pick up your credentials at our Fairfield location. Credentials MUST be picked up by Friday, July 29th (10am - 6pm), or else you won't be able to get into the festival and you'll miss your balloon ride.
Choose One: Saturday, July 29th *OR* Sunday, July 30th
• For those attending the festival on Saturday, you will receive the "Behind the Scenes" access to photograph the Saturday morning launch and then go on your own balloon ride (6:30am). Please plan to arrive at the festival by 5:15am for check-in.
• For those attending the festival on Sunday, you will receive the "Behind the Scenes" access to photograph the Sunday morning launch and then go on your own balloon ride (6:30am). Please plan to arrive at the festival by 5:15am for check-in.
Each balloon ride will last approximately 20 minutes to an hour. Once the balloon lands, you will be driven back to the festival grounds in the balloon chase vehicle. The whole experience can take anywhere from two to three hours, but it will be an experience that you will never forget!
Are there any passenger restrictions?
Passengers should be tall enough to see over the edge of the basket (about 42 inches high), be able to stand for at least an hour, have no medical issues that may affect your ability to participate in light physical activity, and should not be too far along in pregnancy. All passengers should be sure to inform their pilot of any and all potential medical or physical problems prior to flight.
What should I wear?
You should dress as you would for any outdoor activity: loose comfortable clothing with sturdy footwear. Please no heeled shoes or sandals; sneakers are highly recommended. A light jacket or sweatshirt might be worth bringing for cooler mornings and evenings. The temperature up in the balloon will be about the same as it is on the ground.
What time should I arrive for my flight?
You should plan to arrive at the festival and check in with the Balloon Ride Tent by 5:15am. This tent will be located adjacent to the balloon launch area. Keep in mind there may be traffic leading up to the festival grounds, so plan ahead. Please note, checking-in later than the above times may result in loss of your ride so please be on time!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Unique University® is the highly acclaimed education component of Unique Photo®, NJ’s only camera and video superstore. There is over 2000 sq. ft. of learning space, including our start-of-the art, 1000 sq. ft. main presentation hall. Unique University’s mission is to help our visitors “Create Better Pictures” by providing photography education for beginners to pros.
With events daily, it is the place where photography groups such as local camera clubs, ASMP, PPA and others meet. We have a full curriculum of classes and seminars from world famous speakers such as Art Wolfe, Rick Sammon, Michael Yamashita, Tyler Stableford, Linsay Adler, and Will Crockett. We offer photography experiences to such places at the Izod Center for Nets Basketball, Meadowlands Horse Racetrack, Lakota Wolf Preserve, NJ Jackals Baseball, Botanical Gardens, Ballooning, NYC Skyline Shoots and much more.
Our technical classes include such topics as basic D-SLR photography, lighting techniques, Adobe Photoshop, Elements, and Lightroom, macro photography, composition, editing and printing, wedding photography, HDR photography, working with speedlites, how to use social media, digital organization, one-on-one instruction, and much more.
FAQ UNIVERSITY
Where are classes held?
Unless stated otherwise, classes are held in the Unique University classroom within the Unique Photo SuperStore (123 US Highway 46 West, Fairfield, NJ 07004).
What should I bring to class?
You're encouraged to bring your camera and a notebook and pen to most classes. Some classes will require additional equipment, so please check the class descriptions.
How do I register for a class?
You can register online, in-store at the concierge, or by phone at either 973-377-6454 or 973-377-2007. Please note that you will need to provide payment information.
Can I register at the door?
For most classes, you're free to register at the concierge desk prior to the start of the class. Please note that there are some classes that offer "Early Bird Special" rates and others that have limited seating, so it would be in your best interest to register prior to the dates of such classes.
I am registered for a class, but I will no longer be able to attend. What is your cancellation policy?
Classes under $100 require a 48-hour cancellation notice for a full refund. For classes over $100, you will need to notify us 7 days before the start of the class for a full refund.
I was registered for a class, but was unable to attend. Can I still receive a refund?
If the class has already passed, you will receive credit (in the amount of your class registration fee) towards a future Unique University class(es).
I wanted to register for ______ class, but it is now sold out. Is there a waiting list?
Please contact Pamela at 973-377-6454 or email [email protected] with the following information: your name, phone number, email address, and the class name and date.
My question has not been addressed here. Is there someone I can contact?
Please contact Pamela at 973-377-6454 or email [email protected] with any additional inquiries.
Getting Started
How to Submit
Who Can Enter
Must be 18 years or older at time of entry.
Employees & affiliates of Unique Photo are not eligible.
Photos must be original work submitted by the photographer.
Content must be free of offensive or inappropriate material.
Judging Criteria
Entries are judged on creativity, originality, and adherence to the contest theme. The panel's decision is final.
Entry Requirements
Contest Rules
All photographers retain full copyright to their images. By entering, you grant Unique Photo permission to use your photos on social media for promotional purposes.
Please upload a JPEG image. Resize photographs to under 8MB per photo before submitting.
DO NOT include watermarks on photographs — images with watermarks will be disqualified from entry.
Winners will be announced one week after the deadline on Instagram @UniquePhoto.
Having trouble with the form? Email your info and photos directly to our team.
[email protected]Terms & Conditions
Submission Guidelines: Photos must be original and submitted by the photographer. Submissions must not contain offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content. Number of photos and submission deadline will be determined by the specific Creators Challenge contest.
Copyright & Usage Rights: All photographers retain full copyrights to their submitted photos. By entering, participants grant Unique Photo a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and publish their submitted photos on social media and other digital channels for promotional purposes. No modifications will be made without prior consent, except for minor cropping or resizing.
Judging: Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and adherence to the contest theme. The decision of the judging panel is final and binding.
Liability: By entering, participants agree to release Unique Photo and its affiliates from any liability, injury, loss, or damage arising from this contest or any prize won.
Privacy: Personal information collected will only be used to administer the contest and will not be shared with third parties.
Modifications: Unique Photo reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the contest due to technical issues or unforeseen circumstances. For questions, contact [email protected].
If you won't be attending the seminar for any reason, please send us an email at [email protected] to arrange a date/time to pick up your credentials at our Fairfield location. Credentials MUST be picked up by Friday, July 29th (10am - 6pm), or else you won't be able to get into the festival and you'll miss your balloon ride.
Choose One: Saturday, July 29th *OR* Sunday, July 30th
• For those attending the festival on Saturday, you will receive the "Behind the Scenes" access to photograph the Saturday morning launch and then go on your own balloon ride (6:30am). Please plan to arrive at the festival by 5:15am for check-in.
• For those attending the festival on Sunday, you will receive the "Behind the Scenes" access to photograph the Sunday morning launch and then go on your own balloon ride (6:30am). Please plan to arrive at the festival by 5:15am for check-in.
Each balloon ride will last approximately 20 minutes to an hour. Once the balloon lands, you will be driven back to the festival grounds in the balloon chase vehicle. The whole experience can take anywhere from two to three hours, but it will be an experience that you will never forget!
Are there any passenger restrictions?
Passengers should be tall enough to see over the edge of the basket (about 42 inches high), be able to stand for at least an hour, have no medical issues that may affect your ability to participate in light physical activity, and should not be too far along in pregnancy. All passengers should be sure to inform their pilot of any and all potential medical or physical problems prior to flight.
What should I wear?
You should dress as you would for any outdoor activity: loose comfortable clothing with sturdy footwear. Please no heeled shoes or sandals; sneakers are highly recommended. A light jacket or sweatshirt might be worth bringing for cooler mornings and evenings. The temperature up in the balloon will be about the same as it is on the ground.
What time should I arrive for my flight?
You should plan to arrive at the festival and check in with the Balloon Ride Tent by 5:15am. This tent will be located adjacent to the balloon launch area. Keep in mind there may be traffic leading up to the festival grounds, so plan ahead. Please note, checking-in later than the above times may result in loss of your ride so please be on time!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Unique University® is the highly acclaimed education component of Unique Photo®, NJ’s only camera and video superstore. There is over 2000 sq. ft. of learning space, including our start-of-the art, 1000 sq. ft. main presentation hall. Unique University’s mission is to help our visitors “Create Better Pictures” by providing photography education for beginners to pros.
With events daily, it is the place where photography groups such as local camera clubs, ASMP, PPA and others meet. We have a full curriculum of classes and seminars from world famous speakers such as Art Wolfe, Rick Sammon, Michael Yamashita, Tyler Stableford, Linsay Adler, and Will Crockett. We offer photography experiences to such places at the Izod Center for Nets Basketball, Meadowlands Horse Racetrack, Lakota Wolf Preserve, NJ Jackals Baseball, Botanical Gardens, Ballooning, NYC Skyline Shoots and much more.
Our technical classes include such topics as basic D-SLR photography, lighting techniques, Adobe Photoshop, Elements, and Lightroom, macro photography, composition, editing and printing, wedding photography, HDR photography, working with speedlites, how to use social media, digital organization, one-on-one instruction, and much more.
FAQ UNIVERSITY
Where are classes held?
Unless stated otherwise, classes are held in the Unique University classroom within the Unique Photo SuperStore (123 US Highway 46 West, Fairfield, NJ 07004).
What should I bring to class?
You're encouraged to bring your camera and a notebook and pen to most classes. Some classes will require additional equipment, so please check the class descriptions.
How do I register for a class?
You can register online, in-store at the concierge, or by phone at either 973-377-6454 or 973-377-2007. Please note that you will need to provide payment information.
Can I register at the door?
For most classes, you're free to register at the concierge desk prior to the start of the class. Please note that there are some classes that offer "Early Bird Special" rates and others that have limited seating, so it would be in your best interest to register prior to the dates of such classes.
I am registered for a class, but I will no longer be able to attend. What is your cancellation policy?
Classes under $100 require a 48-hour cancellation notice for a full refund. For classes over $100, you will need to notify us 7 days before the start of the class for a full refund.
I was registered for a class, but was unable to attend. Can I still receive a refund?
If the class has already passed, you will receive credit (in the amount of your class registration fee) towards a future Unique University class(es).
I wanted to register for ______ class, but it is now sold out. Is there a waiting list?
Please contact Pamela at 973-377-6454 or email [email protected] with the following information: your name, phone number, email address, and the class name and date.
My question has not been addressed here. Is there someone I can contact?
Please contact Pamela at 973-377-6454 or email [email protected] with any additional inquiries.
Getting Started
How to Submit
Who Can Enter
Must be 18 years or older at time of entry.
Employees & affiliates of Unique Photo are not eligible.
Photos must be original work submitted by the photographer.
Content must be free of offensive or inappropriate material.
Judging Criteria
Entries are judged on creativity, originality, and adherence to the contest theme. The panel's decision is final.
Entry Requirements
Contest Rules
All photographers retain full copyright to their images. By entering, you grant Unique Photo permission to use your photos on social media for promotional purposes.
Please upload a JPEG image. Resize photographs to under 8MB per photo before submitting.
DO NOT include watermarks on photographs — images with watermarks will be disqualified from entry.
Winners will be announced one week after the deadline on Instagram @UniquePhoto.
Having trouble with the form? Email your info and photos directly to our team.
[email protected]Terms & Conditions
Submission Guidelines: Photos must be original and submitted by the photographer. Submissions must not contain offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content. Number of photos and submission deadline will be determined by the specific Creators Challenge contest.
Copyright & Usage Rights: All photographers retain full copyrights to their submitted photos. By entering, participants grant Unique Photo a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and publish their submitted photos on social media and other digital channels for promotional purposes. No modifications will be made without prior consent, except for minor cropping or resizing.
Judging: Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and adherence to the contest theme. The decision of the judging panel is final and binding.
Liability: By entering, participants agree to release Unique Photo and its affiliates from any liability, injury, loss, or damage arising from this contest or any prize won.
Privacy: Personal information collected will only be used to administer the contest and will not be shared with third parties.
Modifications: Unique Photo reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the contest due to technical issues or unforeseen circumstances. For questions, contact [email protected].