Flying Objects & Other Fun Invading Area 57 on May the 4th

If you are curious about life – after high school or looking to change careers – but are uncertain of your future, check out Area 57 and the Uncrewed Systems Programs at Warren Community College, Route 57, Washington. What better day to hold such an even than Saturday, May the 4th, 2024 (rain date May 5).

Area 57 will showcase the College’s nationally acclaimed Uncrewed Systems Program, which teaches piloting, design and development, and the maintenance and repair of drones, as well as AI and Robotics. Area 57 focuses on careers, education and fun – an important combination in life. The event will include other aviation and types of tech, like hot air balloons, combat and FRC robots, showcased at both the College and neighboring Warren Technical School.

Drones were first used as military devices. One of the first aerial systems used by the military was combination hot air balloon and torpedo, in the late 19th century. Hot air balloons were also used for reconnaissance, observation, and communication. As technology advanced balloons were equipped with cameras, telegraphs, and other instruments that allowed for even better reconnaissance and observation. Other types of uncrewed aerial vehicles were pilotless torpedoes, used in World War I. Fast forward to 1990’s when the US military ramped up the development and use of drones, like the well-known Predator drones. Around 2006, the use of drones for non-military applications began.

In 2017, Warren began to build what is now a nationally acclaimed Uncrewed Systems Program, known as WarrenUAS, that has been recognized by industry leaders and the FAA as one of the best in the country. Uncrewed Systems technology is one of the fastest-growing sectors in today’s career market with many of the industries currently understaffed in qualified professionals.

Warren UAS will have the following drones on display:

Sensefly Ebee X
Agras T-30 (display)
Agras T-10 Demo
Skydio X10 Thermal Demo

Staff will be on hand to explain how drones will revolutionize agriculture. There will be live flight demos of advanced drones for agriculture (Agras T10) and critical infrastructure inspection (Skydio X10).

Warren Community College is dedicated to the advancement of UxS education. They offer an Associate degree in UxS Systems. AUVSI TOP Level 3 Training Provider, ASTM Certified, FAA CTI member, COW for BVLOS, OOP, Multiple Drones, and TOP 3 RPI instructors. Students get hands-on training on most advanced systems in the industry in air, maritime, and ground environments.

More Activities at Area 57
Garden State Combat Robot League (GSCRL.org) invite you watch or participate in May the 4th Be With You Combat Robot Wreckage. The competition features 1 & 3 lb. Beetleweights, Plastic Ants, and Antweights. Registration is full but there won’t be a shortage of robots to root for.

Several FRC (First Robotics Competition) robots will be on display along with their teams. Learn all about participating from Team 56 from Bound Brook, Easton RoboRovers and Team Impact from local Warren Hills High School.

Warren Community College is also home to two popular Hot Air Balloon Festivals. Planned balloon activities for Area 57 include a presentation on How A Balloon Works. Get hands-on experience handling a balloon, with RE/MAX of NJ. Walk inside an actual hot air balloon, that will be cold inflated with fans. Pilot, Kelly Hilberth, will be on hand to talk about two National Competitions she is planning to attend. Kids can decorate their very own bean bag, ($3 donation) – which are used as part of the competitions – and do some target practice to win prizes.

Special shape hot air balloon, Fred G Monster, will also invade the event. Take a tethered balloon ride and get an arial view of the festivities, as weather allows. ($25 adult, $15 youth up to 12 years of age.)

Stop by the new Fascination Place children’s activity area for some free STEM related crafts and games. Build a rocket at the Moon Base: Launch Pad 57 tent. There will be different levels for different age groups. Take the Warren County's Timeline of Technology scavenger hunt challenge. Learn all about Warren County’s past, present and future technological revolutions while you search for clues in a scavenger hunt.

Time travel with Autocades mobile arcade and their space and science-fiction themed classics. Blast space bugs in Galaga, stop the alien invasion in Defender, avoid the assault in Asteroids, and for MAY THE 4TH, take down the Death Star on the Atari Star Wars space shooter with its iconic vector graphics and learn the ways of the Jedi on the Star Wars video pinball machine. ($5 wristband to play, $10 family pack of parents and one child.)

The event is free for students and Veterans, $4 for seniors and $7 for adults. Tickets may be reserved or purchased online. Please have appropriate ID with you at check in. Food will be available for purchase.

To keep up to date on the full schedule of events, visit www.balloonfestnj.com. For more information on the event call or text organizer, Giulia Grotenhuis, at 908-283-0721, or via email at info@balloonfestnj.com.

Area 57 is organized by Flying Festivals of Warren County, in cooperation with the Warren Community College Foundation. Supported in part by a grant from the NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism (VisitNJ.org).
Photos available upon request.

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Giulia Grotenhuis
giulia51@verizon.net
908-283-0721