History of the Festival

It all began when the Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Office, and the Economic Council of Haut-Richelieu were looking for a way to promote tourism and boost the region’s economy during the summer season. Bob Burch and Dave McLeod, two hot air balloon enthusiasts from Montreal, came up with the idea of organizing a hot air balloon festival. They had both noticed that the region's geographic location and weather conditions made it an exceptional area for balloonists to enjoy their sport in ideal conditions. At that time, the Haut-Richelieu Hot Air Balloon Festival was a success. During the four days of festivities, 20 hot air balloons officially launched the first major balloon gathering.

We are changing our name to become the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Hot Air Balloon Festival. Another major change marks this year: the creation of the Festival Corporation and the arrival of an entirely new team. We are also adopting a more family-oriented approach.

We’re celebrating our 18th anniversary. Our reputation on the international stage has grown significantly. Our branded hot air balloon has been seen in many countries, attracting numerous international balloons to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. To better reflect our global reach, we are adopting the name "International de montgolières de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu."

We’re introducing a new visual identity with warm colors, paying tribute to the “fire-breathers” that hot air balloons are. The sun, the moon, and the stars come together to form a cheerful and festive logo.

We’re celebrating our 25th anniversary with joy and color.

Not only was it a year with high attendance, but also one with favorable weather conditions, allowing 125 balloons to fill the skies of Haut-Richelieu with color on twelve separate occasions during the festival.

The radiant and energetic Anouk Meunier becomes our official spokesperson. With her cheerfulness, humor, kindness, and vibrant personality, Anouk perfectly embodies the spirit of the festival. She knows how to connect with our festival-goers, both young and old! It’s not uncommon to see her walking around the site, marveling at the balloon launches, or dancing in front of the main stage!

The unique context didn’t stop us from creating unforgettable moments for people of all ages. In a short amount of time, we put together several events, all carefully designed in accordance with Public Health guidelines. Whether it was the SAQ Discovery Picnic or Yoga Envolées, the public was still able to experience wonder—even in challenging times.

That same year, we made history. By combining our expertise with that of Lysanne Richard (ranked second in the world in high diving) and Yves Milord, this collaboration led to two high dives from hot air balloons in mid-flight! The two athletes descended from a height of 25 meters, reaching a speed of 80 KM/H and hitting the water at the exact same time. This incredible feat was a world first and left a lasting impression on all who witnessed it.

We’re beginning our return to the traditional festival format with a refreshed brand image. Blue, red, and yellow now blend into vibrant new colors, and graphic elements have been added to continue sparking the imagination of our festival-goers. Several new features are also introduced, including the repositioning of the main stage, which now offers a larger front-of-stage area.

We are also moving toward electrifying our operations—an important milestone in our commitment to sustainable development. To learn more, we invite you to visit our dedicated page.

As part of our 40th edition, we’re inviting the public to an emotionally charged evening: Saint-Jean brille de mille feux. On August 16, 2023, local and international pilots lit up the regional sky with their burners, offering a dazzling show in sync with the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School. The evening concluded with a fireworks display presented by SNQ Richelieu Saint-Laurent, lighting up the sky with sparkling colors.