Northwest Art and Air Festival facts for kids
The Northwest Art and Air Festival is a super fun yearly event in Albany, Oregon, United States. It's a special celebration of local art and amazing things that fly! This festival has been called the "best in its budget class" twice by the Oregon Festival and Events Association. Lots of people love it, with about 40,000 visitors coming each year. In 2008, city officials said it was "the biggest by far"!
The idea for the Northwest Art and Air Festival started in August 2000. It's put on by Albany Parks & Recreation and the Albany Visitors Association. A local company that makes special metals for airplanes, ATI Wah Chang, helps to sponsor it. The festival was only canceled once, in 2020.
You can find the festival at two main spots: Timber Linn Park and the Albany Municipal Airport.
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Amazing Art to See
Over 70 talented artists from Oregon come to show off their creations. You can see all sorts of cool art, like:
- Pottery and ceramics
- Beautiful wood furniture and other woodworking items
- Unique jewelry
- Handmade lotions and soaps
- Paintings and photography
- Cozy rugs
- Fun toys
Live Music and Shows
The festival has music playing on two different stages! You can enjoy great performances, especially on Saturday night at the Oregon Amphitheater. Some famous musicians who have played here include Joan Baez, Los Lobos, Johnny Rivers, Christopher Cross, and Little River Band in 2008.
Exciting Air Displays
The Albany Municipal Airport is where all the air action happens! There are many cool things to see and do:
- The U.S. Army often brings a Blackhawk helicopter for everyone to see up close.
- Kids aged 8 to 17 can learn about flying through a program called Young Eagles. It includes a 20-minute lesson and then a 20-minute airplane ride over the beautiful Willamette Valley!
- You can also take airplane and helicopter flights.
- People show off amazing radio-controlled airplanes.
- You'll see different kinds of aircraft like ultralights, experimental aircraft, and small jet planes flying around.
Hot Air Balloon Magic
One of the most special parts of the Northwest Art and Air Festival is the "Night Glow" hot air balloon lighting. As the sun goes down in Timber Linn Park, the balloons light up their burners. This makes them glow like giant nightlights against the dark sky! The show is set to music, and in 2008, they even added a cool laser light show.
Early in the morning on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, at least forty hot air balloons launch into the sky. You can get really close to the balloons as they fill up and get ready to fly. If you want an amazing view, you can even pay for a ride in a hot air balloon!
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