(READINGTON, NJ)  -- With an upcoming 40th anniversary celebration full of nostalgia, two of the top bands of the ‘90s will open the concert series at the 2023 New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning. Alternative rockers Everclear and Lit will perform on Friday night, July 28, at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ. A mass hot air balloon ascension of up to 100 hot air balloons launches the celebration. Presented in association with 105.5 WDHA-FM, Lit is scheduled to perform at 7:30pm followed by Everclear.

As this is a special pairing unique to the Festival, the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America, a performance by the two bands together is in the offerings as part of the fun and surprises planned for this year’s event, one sure to satisfy the cravings of Gen Xers.

Pre-sale tickets for loyal festival patrons and the event’s social media followers (#njballoonfest) are now available with tickets for the general public going on sale Wednesday, March 1 at 10:00am at www.balloonfestival.com.

Everclear continues to tour extensively, and while it’s a virtual surety that no Everclear gig is complete without a rendition of “Santa Monica” and “Father of Mine”, don’t expect the band to solely rely on its past successes which includes 11 studio releases, numerous videos, and a Grammy Award nomination.

“By mixing it up and digging into the catalogue, it still makes it fun and relevant for us, and I think the fans as well,” said singer-guitarist Art Alexakis. “It’s still important to play the hits, but by playing those other songs as well, it makes it seem more vibrant and real. Even though I recorded some of those songs 20 years ago, I haven’t played them in a long time, so it’s like reinventing the wheel. I’m having more fun now than I have in years. I think all of us are.”

Lit is considered one of the preeminent bands to have come out of the post-grunge era of the late ‘90s and helped define an entire generation of SoCal power punk with hard-charging hits like “My Own Worst Enemy,” “Miserable,” “Zip-Lock,” and “Lipstick & Bruises.”

 The band has released six studio albums including their certified platinum A Place in the Sun, received a Billboard Music Award for Modern Rock Song of the Year, and their video for “Miserable” featuring Pamela Anderson was one of the top 10 most played songs of 2000.

“Opening Day, from the balloons to Laurie Berkner to this special concert pairing and other surprises, is going to be exciting and lit!” said Festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman. “We’re proud of the wide-ranging list of performers who want to play at the Festival and we’re proud to continue to provide a great musical experience for our attendees’ wide-ranging tastes.”

The three-day festival from July 28-29-30 features the awe-inspiring spectacle of up to 100 balloons taking flight twice each day, headlining concerts, a nighttime hot air balloon glow, the New Jersey Lottery Land members-only VIP club lounge and entertainment complex, and family entertainment, in a safe, outdoor environment spread across Solberg Airport’s 744 acres.

 For tickets and information, please visit www.balloonfestival.com.