Laurie Berkner Kids’ Concert Opens New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning July 29

READINGTON, NJ — Best-selling children’s recording artist Laurie Berkner —recognized as the “queen of kids’ music” by People magazine — will headline this year’s children’s concert at the 39th annual New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning.

The Princeton, NJ native was the Festival’s first-ever kids’ concert headliner in 2017 and has continued to provide a fun way for families to begin enjoying their Festival experience. She’ll perform on Opening Day, Friday, July 29 at 1:30 p.m. at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ.

Pre-sale tickets for loyal festival patrons and the event’s social media followers begins Monday, February 21 with tickets for the general public going on sale Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 10:00 a.m. at www.balloonfestival.com. Ticket packages will include a limited number of VIP meet-and-greet opportunities.

With an average of more than 16 million monthly streams and millions of CDs and DVDs sold, Laurie’s songs have become beloved classics for children worldwide. 

2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the release of her debut album, Whaddaya Think of That? As a leader and innovator in children’s music and entertainment for the past quarter century, Berkner has released 14 best-selling albums, was the first recording artist ever to perform in music videos on Nick Jr., and has authored a number of picture books based on her songs.

Tabbed “the Adele of the pre-school set” by The New York Times, she maintains a nationwide touring schedule, both solo and with The Laurie Berkner Band, and has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The White House, among many prestigious venues. 

“Laurie creates an unforgettable experience that will inspire a lifelong love of music,” said Festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman. “We’re thrilled to continue to present a dedicated concert for children ages 2 to 8 and then fill the skies with giant, colorful hot air balloons, creating a day of lasting memories for everyone in the family.”

This will be Berkner’s fourth concert at the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning, which has been named the premiere family attraction in New Jersey by the USA TODAY Network.

“I could not be more thrilled to be returning to the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning this summer! I feel so lucky to be able to share my music in person with all the families there, under beautiful skies, alongside the excitement of watching the balloons take flight!” said Berkner. 

The three-day festival, July 29-30-31, 2022, features the awe-inspiring spectacle of gigantic, colorful hot air balloons filling the skies twice each day, along with affordable family entertainment including concerts, fireworks, children’s amusement rides, and more in a safe, outdoor environment spread across Solberg Airport’s 744 acres.

Sharing the Festival’s belief in being active in the community, she has performed free concerts for children’s hospitals and schools serving children with special needs as part of her “Be A Superhero” Kickstarter campaign. During the pandemic, Laurie Berkner’s Live Berkner Break Facebook and Instagram concerts have raised over $15,000 for charities.