Bealeton Flying Circus--Worth Going To? (Fairfax, Gainesville: radio, deal, dating) - City-Data Forum

normie · 07-29-2009, 04:57 PM

Has anyone been to the Bealeton Flying Circus? Is it worthwhile or boring?

Or, has anyone been to the Flying Circus Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival? It's August 15-16, and we're thinking about going. I'd like to hear someone else's opinion of it first, though.

Flying Circus Aerodrome & Airshow

choff5 · 07-29-2009, 05:15 PM

I haven't been there in years but we use to take our boys, even had a birthday party out there once. It's a lot of old time fun if you like old planes and the "olden days". It's out in a field. go early and they have an old time radio show going on the speakers. Back then we even took a picnic lunch. They also give bi-plane rides prior to the show. It's great to take children/grandchildren and/or grandparents who may still remember the old planes (hmmm, maybe I'm dating myself here). After the show you can go out on the field and walk around the planes and talk to the pilots. It's old time hokey, set up the way the old flying circuses were ran back in their day. I've never been there for the hot air balloons but that could be a lot of fun. Got to go up on one of those in Arizona years ago and it was amazing.

So, check it out if you're up for some slower pace, old time entertainment. Of course, what I'm reporting is what it was like many (probably 15) years ago so I can't speak to how updated it has become, but I think the spirit of it would still be the same.

normie · 07-30-2009, 11:50 AM

Sounds like my kind of fun. That settles it, we're checking out the balloon festival. Next question: How long does it take to drive to Bealeton?

choff5 · 07-31-2009, 07:31 PM

About an hour from Fairfax (westerm end). The time you're going won't be bad on I66 getting through to Gainesville. Take Rt. 29 down to Rt. 17. Enjoy and report back!

Claire2900 · 05-24-2010, 01:51 PM

I was thinking about going and taking 3 kids under the age of 11. Anyone have any experience going with kids? Normie - did you ever go?

weezycom · 05-24-2010, 02:35 PM

I went a few years ago. It's a nice, old-fashioned day and great for a picnic. With little kids, bring plenty of sunscreen, and there's loads of big fields for frisbee or kicking/throwing a ball around when it isn't airshow time. A big umbrella wouldn't be a bad idea.

gingerbreadgirl · 05-24-2010, 07:46 PM

Wow! I'm so glad this thread was brought back to life! I, too, have always wondered about the Flying Circus. I haven't seen it advertised lately and had forgotten all about it. It sounds like a lot of fun and something my grandchildren would enjoy.

Now that sports season is winding down, we will have Saturdays that we can actually do things again! I'm going to start looking into it and will report back when we go!

Caladium · 08-26-2010, 10:57 AM

BTW, if you're looking for a fun end-of-summer thing to do with the kids, I recommend the airshow. I meant to bring up this thread last weekend, which was the balloon festival. But the airshow is just as fun, IMO. In some ways I like the airshow better because you don't have to deal with any traffic.

Caladium · 08-31-2010, 07:42 AM

We went this weekend. It was cool! I enjoyed it more than I thought I was going to. Very amusing to watch the planes, especially if you go on a pretty day. I'm not sure it would be as much fun non a really hot day.