Snow & Glow Offers Unique Experience
Hot Air Balloons Light the Sky
New Smyrna Beach’s first night of Snow & Glow is in the books, and it was an interesting addition to our area’s long list of holiday events. They will be back Saturday night (Dec 8) for their final night, and we’ve got all of the details if you are planning to make the trip down Route 44 for a fun night under the stars.
Snow & Glow is built around hot air balloons with a sweet Christmas vibe. It is an unusual treat and a creative family event. To be honest, the first night had logistical issues. Hopefully, some of those will be fixed by Saturday.
The highlights:
- Tethered balloon rides (for an additional charge). Highly recommend checking out this opportunity. $20 gets you a cool balloon ride that takes you up to 40 feet. Make sure you go there for some nice sunset pictures, even if you don’t take one of the rides. (The best view is front left).
- The Snow & Glow Illuminations: These begin around 7:00 and take place at seemingly random times so pay attention. On the evening we attended, they were shut down by 8:30, so make sure you get there early enough to see these. It’s cool watching these 7 character balloons light up, but honestly, there were too many balloons crammed into a small space, and they were tethered close to the ground. For instance, we had a hard time ever seeing the huge snowman balloon…
- Entertainment: There was a DJ playing holiday music and sharing info on the illuminations. We were also treated to carolers in Dickens’ era clothing.
- Christmas Goodies: There are a slew of vendors, many offering unique Christmas offerings, including some of the coolest Yule hats I have ever seen. And, there’s plenty of typical fair fare for the shoppers.
- Grub: There was some tasty stuff for sale on the grounds. We sampled a bunch, but the favorites were the Authentic Empanadas and the delicious, and surely healthy Amish Donuts, which are conveniently right next to each other.
- Parking was free, but at peak times, spots were tough to find and there were long lines in the lots. Get there early enough to find a spot (before 7:00).
- Santa Clause was there, and looked great. (Pictures were available for a fee.) There were also plenty of costumed characters roaming the grounds, but am I the only one who found a few of them a bit creepy?
- SNOW! There was a machine near the front gate that continually wafted snow over the crowd. It was a very cool vibe, especially paired with a crisp, chilly night. It’s probably something they should have done elsewhere on the grounds too, to add to the vibe.
NSB Insider Tips:
- Bring a lawn chair if you want to camp out and watch the balloons for a while.
- Pack a beverage or two and tailgate a bit before you enter the grounds, as this is a family event with no alcohol inside.
- Get tickets in advance ($12) or bring cash to the event. You cannot charge your admission tickets on site.
Bottom Line: It was an interesting night, but did not live up to the hype.
If you like what you’ve read here, check out other features on our site, and make sure you Like us on Facebook. NSB Guide is a local blog keenly focused on sharing the best of New Smyrna Beach to fellow locals, and visitors alike. Make sure you Like / Follow Us above to keep in the loop, or just to be nice to us…
Thanks!
NSB Guide
