The 52^nd annual Adirondack Balloon Festival is coming up in September.

The event features 100 different balloons and draws 200,000 spectators from around the world.

It is the second-oldest balloon festival in the nation after one in Albuquerque.

“It’s pretty awesome, because it’s the community’s event. Nobody owns this event but the community. We put it on for the community, by the community,” said Mark Donahue, president of the festival’s board of directors.

Donahue grew up at the event. His mother started a scrapbook about the event back when it started.

“I started flying a balloon before I could drive a car,” he said.

This year’s event will take place from Sept. 18 through Sept. 21.

Learn what Donahue believes sets this festival apart from others by watching the video of Rachel Tiede’s story.