Up, up and away

When thinking of the 4th of July, traditionalists thinks of barbecues and fireworks. But in Dutchess County this year, a person could also think of giant, brilliantly colored balloons. And that is only one of a slew of unique events on tap for the county this summer.

Continuing the annual tradition of hot air balloons over Dutchess, the Mid-Hudson Balloon Festival takes place July 2-4, offering colorful mass balloon ascensions at dawn and dusk on those days, from a variety of locations in Poughkeepsie as well as from elsewhere in the Hudson Valley. The event is sponsored by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of  Commerce.

The same weekend, the Dutchess County Fairgrounds will host a Painted Pony Championship Rodeo July 2, two World’s Largest Demolition Derby shows July 3, and a Hudson Valley Philharmonic concert July 4. The derby will include rides, a petting zoo, food and a beer-and-wine garden. There will be fireworks each night, said Gloria Cukor, senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The city of Poughkeepsie will host a fireworks show and live music at Waryas Park on the river July 4, starting at 7 p.m.